Not exactly subtle, but it's still effective and relevant. Written well with a subtle, sometimes black comedic edge, it manages to be both extremely amusing and very touching. Clooney is excellent of course, but I was taken by Anna Kendrick's performance. Lots of creative editing as well.

Very wonderful, very human.

George Clooney has the charm and screen presence of Cary Grant or Clark Gable, and he uses those gifts to their utmost extent with a commanding performance--one of many found in the movie--in this terrific film. Jason Reitman can do no wrong, and his directorial trademarks are all over this masterpiece. The only problem I have with the film is its--albeit limited--voice-overs. Clooney is a good enough actor to get some emotions across without having to literally explain them to an audience.

I hated this from the poorly made Dallas-intro, through-out the slick-voice-over-about-shady-business crap, aided by a "The Graduate light" soundtrack. Clooney - whilst okay - doesn't reach his Solaris high. Kendrick is piss annoying, especially in one excruciatingly poorly acted break-down scene. The plot is retarded with its TERMINATOR concept, and the "people who fire you are lonely losers" pad on the back for the American blue collar is just plain dumb. Sub-par indie-rom-com-drama. Avoid.

A timely film that is unexpectedly moving. The actors give career best turns. Probably the best film of 2009.

There's nothing too bad about it, but the editing, cinematography, soundtrack and overall atmosphere feel too reminiscent of not only Reitman's previous works, but from recent movies to come along in this genre.

It is heartwarming, funny and essentially human.

The absolute perfect dramedy, and a serious contender for the best flick of 09. The range of emotions that Reitman was able to capture was incredible; it'll have you grinning from ear to ear, to sucking the soul right out of you. It's crushing and it's saturated with morality. Crafted for the social status of 2009, it's a perfect way to cap off the year. This one is truly something.

Has some very interesting ideas and an interesting lifestyle in it which makes you reconsider some of your own values, or at least think about them. Good story and great acting, Clooney is, again, terrific but also the other leading persons act very well. This film is all about the details, and they fit. Liked it.

Very (psuedo?) intelligent comedy, Clooney was fantastic. Best film of 2009

Didnīt engage me at all. Donīt understand the hype. You could have told me this story in 20 seconds and I would have gone "yeah yea..I get it". It wasnīt funny or entertaining either.

This film is a thoughtful examination of the value of human connections. The entire cast is excellent, and contribute to this luxuriously well developed comedy, but Clooney is particularly wonderful, and captures his characters comfortably bleak mindset with stunning charisma and depth. The film is beautifully shot, and has a really unique perspective that is both artistic, and works within the narrative. I love how Reitman uses comedy to enhance rather than distract from the drama in his films.

There's not a whole lot wrong with the movie. All the actors did a good job, including the ones with only a few moments on screen who were the people getting fired. The film itself was tight with witty-dialogue and besides a few cliched moments is extremely well-written (and I was very glad it didn't sell out in the ending). It's not my favorite of the year but it's a strong movie worth the praise it is getting from many.

up in the air does many things good; the acting work of vera farmiga, anna kendrick and george clooney is simply brilliant, the directing's way above what jason reitman had produced thus far and the musical work done on the film is ambient yet strong. but where it really shines is the writing. as bingham questions everything he thinks about belonging to what you have and what has you, so does the viewers and eventually what they leave the theatre with is something substantial and this is unique.

A good movie about the price of modern business. Strong performances by the actors was really enjoyable. But the story was quite shallow to drive the whole idea.

A well-executed, well-acted, beautiful, and timely film.

Far from a bad movie. But also far from being as smart, witty or thoughtful as it thinks it is. Reitman least memorable movie so far

A pretty good film although the conclusion is a bit inconclusive... Clooney, however, delivers the performance of his career and Farmiga is outstanding as well.

Very touching movie with great acting all around and an excellent script. Worth seeing, teeters out a bit near the end but finishes strong.

I was moved, finally.

Jason Reitman is officially a brilliant filmmaker. After "Thank You For Smoking" and "Juno," he delivers another surefire awards contender. His third film couldn't be more timely, thought-provoking, darkly funny, challenging and heartbreaking. George Clooney has one of his best roles to date--able to evoke disdain and sympathy within a brisk 2 hours. "Up in the Air" is a brilliant, airy, intelligent, and tragic film well worth seeing.

Will be forgotten in about a year. The dialogue was not funny, the movie overall way too hip and clean. There is no focus and no intention/point behind it. Why the subplot about his sister? Why choosing a guy that actually is still employed as the protagonist? To feel sorry for him? Why is he such an overstylized film character? So many scenes, but nothings ever adds up to anything, the plot is just there for this rather conventional award-flick. At least no happy ending.

I'm not sure I want to watch this again. That said, it was really well put together. Best film of 2009?

fantastic!

In a word: assured. A second springs to mind: effortless. Substance is kind of snuck into the perfectly structured script yet doesn't get bogged down by the light-weight humorous elements. Clooney is great. Reitman almost blows it ("Welcome to the family", my a**) but all is forgiven by the, at best, bittersweet ending. His movies have a tendency to seem great while you are watching them to then fade in your memory, perhaps because his main talent is observing small details. A third word: Funny.

It's hard for me to pinpoint every reason why I loved this film, perhaps because its range in emotions was as refreshing and profound as Clooney's performance. All I know is this one's a keeper.

Fairly disappointed with this one. Was expecting to love it, especially given all the hype, but I actually found it fairly narrow and a little difficult to really relate to. Great directing and acting though.

Reitman did again! The dialogues are, by far, the best of 2009. Clooney, Farmiga and Kendrick are brilliant.

Oscar season movie that legitimately delivers. The heart in here is more real than in Reitman's earlier "Thank You For Smoking" yet it maintains a high level for it's dialogue and that never disappoints. In fact, there is little that does. It certainly isn't let down by the actors, who are all sensational. This is what we hope to see when something is described is "smart, funny, and heartfelt."

Reitman is especially good at balancing the often delicate tone of the movie, which slaloms between bittersweet comedy and piercing studies in the way disappointment descends. It's a film thrillingly about adults. It's about the vast array of choices that are laid before a life, and the compromises that result when there are only so many departing flights that you can get on. There are no easy answers, just fumbling attempts at getting things right followed by fleeting moments of reward.

It's a well-made film -- well-shot and well-acted and all that. The message is clear but it doesn't beat you over the head with it. However, it's very much a Hollywood film, and it's sheen is far too bright for its subject matter. And for me, this detracts from the film a good bit. Oh, one more thing: Vera Farmiga looks perfect naked. Hubba hubba, yowzers, etc.

Farmiga wants the oscar, watch out Mo'Nique!!!

It's good. Very good actually. But some things just didn't work for me - I loved for example the 'being alone' theme, but I think they involved love just a bit too much in all that, but it was, I guess, inevitable. Pretty good acting should also be mentioned.

The first half of this movie was absolutely fantastic but it tailed off towards the end. Clooney is phenomenal in this very classy and original film.

This movie is all about the Cloon, and he rocks it! Another quality effort from Mr. Reitman.

Competent. Not what I was expecting, but a decent movie. Heavy on the cliches throughout though. Could have taken the screenplay in more engaging directions than the typical Hollywood dilemmas and situations.

Disappointingly predictable romantic comedy, not as intelligent or satirical as I'd been led to expect...

Un-nervingly to close to reality. When I checked my wallet I had 5 hotel/airline loyalty cards...

the first half is actually decent and fun, before it decides to get "serious" and lose both balls and credibility.