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January 15, 2010
Oh George Clooney
UP IN THE AIR (AMOR SIN ESCALAS), originally uploaded by Vamos al Cine.
When I first heard about "Up In The Air," I was pretty much sold on seeing it. In the movie, George Clooney is a fellow who works for a company that fires people for companies who are unwilling to do it themselves. I was interested because Clooney's character spends 300 nights in hotels, is constantly on airplanes, and rarely sees home.
Now, for the past year, I've had a somewhat similar lifestyle. I have spent nowhere close to 300 days in a hotel. More like 30 or 40, but I've racked up the frequent flyer miles. I even flew Southwest so much that I have a pass that lets me take a person of my choosing with me, wherever I go, for free.
So, as a fellow airport dweller, I have a few quibbles with the movie. First of all, I'm dying to know how Clooney keeps his suits so clean and wrinkle free, despite toting a suitcase that looks like it holds a day's worth of clothes. If there is one thing I constantly struggle with, it's being able to carry all my stuff that I need - client files, computer, etc. - in a bag, and not keep my suit from getting messed up. Either Clooney has a great folding system, or he spends buku bucks on dry cleaners. [One respondent on Facebook suggested that because he's Clooney, he does whatever he wants. I can't quibble with that.]
Then, there's the idea that he seems to have no work with him when he goes places. Does he just show up somewhere, wing it, and then off he goes? I don't get it. Doesn't he need to study? Doesn't he have notes? It bothers me.
Anyway, as for the movie, I enjoyed it. It had an interesting twist at the end, and didn't get saddled down with a traditional Hollywood ending. I don't think it was good as Jason Reitman's first escapade, Thank You For Smoking. He also directed Juno, which I enjoyed, but at the same time found grating. I mean, no teenage girl is that cool. Maybe I should watch it again.
Also, when I went to see the movie, I answered a trivia question correctly and got an official soundtrack album as a prize. It contains a great version of "This Land Is Your Land," by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Woody Guthrie = awesome.
entry no. 1423
Posted at January 15, 2010 11:35 AM