Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
My "Review" of Up In The Air
WARNING - ADULT LANGUAGE in this post.
Although I started this blog saying I wasn't going to review film or music - I have to make a bit of an exception for this film. I saw Jason Reitman's Up In The Air today and I have to make some comments. But they are not so much about the actors playing the role, but more so about the themes in the film and my reaction to them in relation to my past work experiences.
So here goes...
Up In The Air, (written, produced and directed by Jason Reitman) affected me more than I had expected it would given how much I've read about it.
There is a lot going on in my head right now. My thoughts are about how this film brought some of my own life experiences back from the recesses of my memory reminding me of the emotion of the time.
You see I've been on both sides of the desk that Clooney's character Ryan inhabits.
I've been fired (downsized) and I've had to fire people. I related so well to one comment Ryan makes about his job. Paraphrasing here - he says his job entails doing something that the "pussy" manager at the company is too much of a coward to do himself.
I've been Ryan - having to fire someone who really, through no fault of their own, lost their job. That word again "downsizing" so much of a cookie-cutter MBA graduate (i.e know nothing fuck up) kind of word! The pussy manager I had to deal with was that coward who, frankly, would not have had the ability to do so with kindness. And he also would not have left the person with any dignity.
And although I had to do it more times than I wish, no one ever knew the emotional toll it took on me. Many a night after having such an experience I would go home, think about what I had done that day and spend the rest of the night throwing up.
Yes, there were some who deserved to be fired - but there were others who did not and those were the ones that wrenched at my soul. My only choice was to fire or walk away from my job and at the time, I didn't have the luxury of being able to do that.
I think many people (especially those who have recently or who have ever lost their jobs) will relate to this film because Jason has written words that will resonate with many.
As to the audience reaction - laughter at the appropriate times (some quite long and loud) and other times, quiet murmurs of agreement or acknowledgment that they understood and perhaps could relate to the issues being portrayed or discussed.
There is a lot here to make you think and reflect on the choices you've made in your life. Depending on those, this film may make you thank your lucky stars or make you a bit sad.
The interviews with the people who had actually lost their jobs recently - the non-actors were also very insightful and poignant.
I also liked the actor J.K. Simmons very small (in time) contribution but very eye-opening in effect. I won't discuss what his "firing" entailed - I think you should go see the film for yourself so I do recommend it heartily - despite Clooney being in it. (Yes, I'm being facetious!)
George does a lovely job with this role. Anna is very engaging and affecting. Yes, I think I used the right word. Vera is surprising. She says to George/Ryan in the film, "Think of me as you with a vagina" and that really says it all. I won't say anything else.
Do go see this film. I think you will not only enjoy it but will give yourself an opportunity to look at your life to see where you stand in your happiness quotient. Hopefully, it will be very high!
Although I started this blog saying I wasn't going to review film or music - I have to make a bit of an exception for this film. I saw Jason Reitman's Up In The Air today and I have to make some comments. But they are not so much about the actors playing the role, but more so about the themes in the film and my reaction to them in relation to my past work experiences.
So here goes...
Up In The Air, (written, produced and directed by Jason Reitman) affected me more than I had expected it would given how much I've read about it.
There is a lot going on in my head right now. My thoughts are about how this film brought some of my own life experiences back from the recesses of my memory reminding me of the emotion of the time.
You see I've been on both sides of the desk that Clooney's character Ryan inhabits.
I've been fired (downsized) and I've had to fire people. I related so well to one comment Ryan makes about his job. Paraphrasing here - he says his job entails doing something that the "pussy" manager at the company is too much of a coward to do himself.
I've been Ryan - having to fire someone who really, through no fault of their own, lost their job. That word again "downsizing" so much of a cookie-cutter MBA graduate (i.e know nothing fuck up) kind of word! The pussy manager I had to deal with was that coward who, frankly, would not have had the ability to do so with kindness. And he also would not have left the person with any dignity.
And although I had to do it more times than I wish, no one ever knew the emotional toll it took on me. Many a night after having such an experience I would go home, think about what I had done that day and spend the rest of the night throwing up.
Yes, there were some who deserved to be fired - but there were others who did not and those were the ones that wrenched at my soul. My only choice was to fire or walk away from my job and at the time, I didn't have the luxury of being able to do that.
I think many people (especially those who have recently or who have ever lost their jobs) will relate to this film because Jason has written words that will resonate with many.
As to the audience reaction - laughter at the appropriate times (some quite long and loud) and other times, quiet murmurs of agreement or acknowledgment that they understood and perhaps could relate to the issues being portrayed or discussed.
There is a lot here to make you think and reflect on the choices you've made in your life. Depending on those, this film may make you thank your lucky stars or make you a bit sad.
The interviews with the people who had actually lost their jobs recently - the non-actors were also very insightful and poignant.
I also liked the actor J.K. Simmons very small (in time) contribution but very eye-opening in effect. I won't discuss what his "firing" entailed - I think you should go see the film for yourself so I do recommend it heartily - despite Clooney being in it. (Yes, I'm being facetious!)
George does a lovely job with this role. Anna is very engaging and affecting. Yes, I think I used the right word. Vera is surprising. She says to George/Ryan in the film, "Think of me as you with a vagina" and that really says it all. I won't say anything else.
Do go see this film. I think you will not only enjoy it but will give yourself an opportunity to look at your life to see where you stand in your happiness quotient. Hopefully, it will be very high!
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