I'll begin with saying that this was a strange film. However, you would expect something strange from Jason Reitman, director of Juno and Thank You For Smoking. Reitman's off-kilter humour and flair for muted drama is the touch which keeps what should be a fairly mediocre premise from running dry. Everything from the cinematography down to the costume design (and the actors are there in between) has the Reitman touch.
This film was not quite another Juno or Thank You For Smoking, because the premise is somewhat limited, even to an otherwise stellar combination of director, actors and writers.
George Clooney leads the wonderful cast as Ryan Bingham with, I'll admit, what has become a "George Clooney" performance, which would be a bad thing, if George Clooney still weren't so damn good. He can afford now to essentially play himself, but "himself" is still a wonderful performance, so I'm not one to crow about it. His aptly-named co-worker Natalie Keener is played by relative newcomer Anna Kendrick, who should act in more films like this one to get out of her somewhat unfortunate casting in the "Twilight saga". Her performance is flawless, the perfect balance between self-assurance and vulnerability characteristic of her character's position in life as well as her young age, a difficult balance for any actress.
The key performance in this movie is hers, because make no mistake, Clooney is not the MAIN character, he is simply a very prominent one. Her holding her own among veterans like Clooney and his screen pair Vera Farmiga, is as admirable as her character's attempt to play ball with their characters. I expect, with a little good luck, to see a lot from this young face.
Where the film is lacking any kind of special spark is in the main premise of the film. The novelty of the life that Ryan Bingham leads is played up in the trailer to the point where it is barely noted while watching the film. This surreal suitcase existence is the clincher in our incredulity which is supposed to carry us through the film in the hopes that this fellow will see the light and come to his sense. The fact is that we are as comfortable with the concept as HE is before we even start the film; as a result we want to keep him where he is and begin to resent what he resents, like what he likes, and even partially envy his lifestyle. The climax makes this sentiment very awkward, as he is temporarily converted and desires the stability of a life, a relationship and family. We sit there, uncomfortable and desirous of a return to the "normal" life of endless plane rides and awfulness of firing dozens of employees every week. I don't know if this is a good thing or not, because that's what we find Mr.Bingham gets, his old life back. Of course with this kind of urban folk tale, which is what this movie is, "getting what you want" MUST be bittersweet. This is why I maintain our Ms.Keener is really the star of the film, as she is the only character who seems to gain anything by way of happiness or fulfillment. Perhaps this is a harbinger of youth being capable of learning from their mistakes? Let us hope so.
Individual scenes in this film, a handful scattered throughout, seem to be miniature homages to cinematic comedy of years gone by. Anna Kendrick's wonderful "what I need/want in a man" speech, countered by Vera Farmiga's "what you end up wanting in a man, sort of" is very reminiscent of Nora Ephron, writer of When Harry Met Sally, who was one of the first people to write into film the true differences between not only Men and Women, but Young and Old men and women.
Another classic scene, which is worth the price of admission, was J.K.Simmons' glorious cameo (a requirement of any Jason Reitman film apparently, in any case a welcome one). While his appearance ran the risk of undercutting the otherwise poignant scene, it did no such thing. In fact, our knowledge of the actor accelerated our deepest regrets for his current situation.
This film, in its entirety, was very enjoyable, truly a good movie. However, with the limited and off-center concept of the main plot restrains it from the kind of acclaim it might otherwise garner. It is entertaining and an excellent choice, but don't expect to be in awe as with other such films by Jason Reitman, who falls just short of his usual fantastic performance as director. No worries, Mr.Reitman, if you were consistently as successful as some, you would turn into James Cameron, and nobody wants that!
Until next week,
Liz
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