Up in the Air

Up in the Air is currently streaming in the US on Kanopy and Hoopla, and it earns its romantic beats rather than assuming them. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 4,044 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. George Clooney is the anchor, and the chemistry with the rest of the cast carries every scene. Put it on tonight on Kanopy and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Up in the Air earns its spot. Up in the Air earns its romantic beats rather than assuming them — a rarer quality than it sounds. Corporate downsizing expert Ryan Bingham spends his life in planes, airports, and hotels, but just as he’s about to reach a milestone of ten million frequent flyer miles, he meets a woman who causes him to rethink his transient life. George Clooney and Vera Farmiga lead a cast that makes the relationship feel genuine, not scripted. It was released in 2009. The relationship at the centre of Up in the Air develops at a pace that feels earned rather than rushed for plot reasons. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Romance fans and drama viewers alike will find something to love in Up in the Air. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. George Clooney's performance makes the emotional stakes feel real, not manufactured. Worth watching alone or with someone who shares your taste.