This is the first in what will now be an occasional feature here on the blog called “The Gradebook.” I’ll review various things – movies I’ve seen, books, whatever – using the classic A-F grading scale that until recently was such a big part of my life. First to be reviewed: the movie Up in the Air.
Title: Up in the AirGenre: Drama, Comedy
Rated: R
Running Time: 1 hr, 49 min
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga Up in the Air is a decent movie, but it doesn’t necessarily live up to all the hype surrounding it. George Clooney gives a good performance, as do many of the other actors, but in the end I was not necessarily that impressed. Such is the problem with awarding movies Oscars, etc. before they have actually even been seen. If you ignore all the hype, Up in the Air stands on its own as a good movie. It don’t think it would necessarily stand up to repeat viewings, but it is definitely worth seeing. It avoids many of the pitfalls of romantic dramas and romantic comedies, striking a good mix between the two. There are several nice twists at the end that I liked (not necessarily at the time, but upon reflection). One major complaint would be that the director seems to get confused as to what the point of the story is going to be toward the end, going between several options without comfortably settling on one. I’m all for complicated, messy endings, but only for a good reason. Up in the Air doesn’t have one that I could see. Up in the Air is certainly not alone in this regard; lack of artistic unity is one of the biggest complaints I have with movies in general. Final Grade: B or B-
See it once, not necessarily again.
