Ryan Binghams job is to fly around the country going to different companies to do what they don’t want to - fire their employess. He enjoys his solitary lifestyle but when his company wants to switch to online firings instead of face to face, he begins to see that his lonely lifestyle may not be the choice he wants.
Directed by – Jason Reitman
Written by – Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner, Walter Kirn
Starring – George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton, Melanie Lynskey, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride, Zach Galifianakis, Chris Lowell, Steve Eastin, Adrienne Lamping, Dustin Miles, Erin McGrane
I wasn’t really looking forward to seeing this one yesterday. Not because I had heard anything bad about it, quite the opposite actually, I keep hearing good things. I just felt that my level of violent and gory movie viewing was lacking this week. I reluctantly headed into this one and was more happy when it was over. It was a really great film with amazing performances from all involved. It was funny, charming and had an ending that was a surprise to me.
George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a man whose job is to fire people from their jobs. He heads around the country going from company to company and doing their dirty work. Anna Kendrick plays Natalie Keener, a highly educated newcomer to the company who has brought the idea of firing people from the home office over the internet to save the company money. Ryan thinks it will lack the personal touch that comes with face to face interactions with people, not to mention it will destroy his beloved life of hotel rooms and empty relationships. He’s not a man who likes baggage of any sort and really enjoys his life. Natalie and Ryan are paired together and sent on the road so Ryan can teach Natalie the finer points of their job, along the way Ryan begins to see his life in a different way.
Clooney and Kendrick play off each other like this was a buddy cop movie from the 80's.
The relationship between Clooney and Kendrick plays out like so many other films. At complete ends of the spectrum regarding everything, it’s obvious that they’ll both be teaching the other one something by the end of the film. Add in Vera Farmiga as Alex Goran, Clooneys like-minded female counterpart, as his love interest and you’ve got a great movie. Clooney and Farmiga have the most believable relationship that I think I’ve ever seen in a film. They seem perfect together and the chemistry is incredible. Everybody does an amazing job in their performances. Kendrick is the young newcomer who thinks she has all the answers and an exterior as hard as steel but we all know what’s lurking underneath. No, not a crazed killer! You guys have been reading this blog too long. A young girl who has more questions than answers and isn’t nearly as hard as her outer shell may have you believe.
Clooney is Clooney in here. I really feel like the guy just plays himself most of the time but his roles usually suit that. There’s one moment where he’s firing J.K. Simmons and is so charming and convincing that if the guy was firing me I would have thanked him and left with a big smile on my face. Clooney is so good in his role that he actually makes getting fired seem like a great thing. Of course Vera Framiga also has a great performance. She’s the female equivalent of Clooney’s character and they play so well off each other. While I wasn’t surprised where the film took the two of them, I was surprised that it ended up that way. I would have assumed the complete opposite of what happened at the end of this movie and that was a welcome change.
Easily the best relationship I've seen portrayed in years.
This movie looked interesting when I first saw a trailer for it but it was the reviews I’ve read all over the place that put it closer to the top of my list. I’m glad I watched it because it was funny and touching. It’s got amazing dialogue between characters and left me laughing numerous times. The ending started to get a little sappy for my taste but you have to know that’s where you’re going to end up. This is a great film that should be on everyone’s watch list but I’m pretty sure that this will be the end of the serious films for me right now though. Up In The Air is a great movie but The Film Reel needs some more blood now!
Under the marquee – Will
Actually, I did see that ending coming, but I thought it didn’t make sense, because of the actions taking place in the beginning.
I enjoyed the movie, but it’s not perfect.
I think the ending made it that much more realistic. I don’t want to go into why coz I don’t want to ruin everything but I felt it worked.
You guys are killing me with all this talk about the end. I’m certain I’m going to anticipate it now and be completely disappointed because of it. Talk about pooping in a girls cheerios.
@Heather. You should see the movie. Don’t listen to us chatter. Watch the movie, please.
I wouldn’t worry too much about it Heather, I don’t think the ending could make or break this movie. I really enjoyed it from start to finish.
A well-acted piece about a man’s inability to cope with a world more real than the one he lives. And the screenplay just keeps on getting better and better. Nice review, check out mine when you can!