Downsizing comedy 'Up'-sizes in awards season
George Clooney and Vera Farmiga share a case of corporate wanderlust in "Up in the Air."
(Paramount Pictures)
T-t-timing isn't just for comedy anymore.
Jason Reitman's heartfelt dramatic-comedy "Up in the Air" is loading up awards baggage with precise timing the major airlines, one of which it features prominently, never dreamed of.
It's a daring comic-drama about the horrors of losing your job in a year when so many Americans have lost theirs. It's about a lonely loner (Clooney) who only springs to life when he's on the road earning frequent-flier miles. It's about love; the joy, the pain, the stupid, wrong decisions and occasionally, on very rare occasions, getting something right.
Sad to say (but strangely) joyful as well, two out of three of the subject thrusts of "Up in the Air" hit me squarely in the tormented soul.
Let's just say it's been a rough year, a year of living dangerously, if you will, and leave it at that.
With nominations from the upcoming Golden Globes Awards and the Broadcast Film Critics Association, as well as best actor (George Clooney), screenplay (director Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner) and supporting actress (Anna Kendrick) wins from the National Board of Review, "Up in the Air" is ready for takeoff when the Academy Award nominations are announced on Feb. 2.
The latest kudo for the sometimes acerbic, but always poignant Clooney starring vehicle came this morning.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association, an esteemed group of North Texas film critics that includes me as a member in fairly good standing, has proclaimed "Up in the Air" the best film of 2009, edging out "The Hurt Locker" and "Precious."
This is important, I think, because if you live in North Texas, the 33 broadcast, print and on-line journalists who chose the best of the film year aren't speaking from some lofty cinematic ivory tower somewhere.
We munch popcorn and Milk Duds beside you as we appreciate the art -- and yes, sometimes the dredges -- of cinema together.
We, like you, love going to the movies, except when you rattle the ice in your drink cup, talk loudly as if you're at home and not in a public place or text (or talk) on your cell phone during the movie. Stop that!
On more than one occasion, a member or two of our own critics' group has been guilty of taking a cell phone call or checking e-mail or making a hair appointment during a preview screening.
Stop THAT!
The bottom line, though, is that the members of the DFW Film Critics Assoc. celebrate the magic of movies just like you do.
Here's Todd Jorgenson's full press release announcing the results of the DFW Film Critics Assoc. balloting, which was released today:
DALLAS-FORT WORTH FILM CRITICS NAME “UP IN THE AIR” BEST PICTURE OF 2009
Rounding out the composite list of the top 10 films of the year were THE HURT LOCKER (2), PRECIOUS (3), UP (4), AN EDUCATION (5), A SERIOUS MAN (6), INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (7), DISTRICT 9 (8), AVATAR (9) and FANTASTIC MR. FOX (10).
For Best Actor, the association named George Clooney for UP IN THE AIR. Runners-up included Jeff Bridges for CRAZY HEART (2), Jeremy Renner for THE HURT LOCKER (3), Colin Firth for A SINGLE MAN (4) and Morgan Freeman for INVICTUS (5).
Carey Mulligan was voted Best Actress for AN EDUCATION. Next in the voting were Meryl Streep for JULIE AND JULIA (2), Gabourey Sidibe for PRECIOUS (3), Emily Blunt for THE YOUNG VICTORIA (4) and Sandra Bullock for THE BLIND SIDE (5).
In the Best Supporting Actor category, the winner was Christoph Waltz for INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. He was followed by Woody Harrelson for THE MESSENGER (2), Stanley Tucci for THE LOVELY BONES (3), Alfred Molina for AN EDUCATION (4) and Christian McKay for ME AND ORSON WELLES (5).
For Best Supporting Actress, the association named Mo’Nique for PRECIOUS. Runners-up included Anna Kendrick for UP IN THE AIR (2), Vera Farmiga for UP IN THE AIR (3), Marion Cotillard for NINE (4) and Maggie Gyllenhaal for CRAZY HEART (5).
Jason Reitman was voted Best Director for UP IN THE AIR. Next in the voting were Kathryn Bigelow for THE HURT LOCKER (2), Lee Daniels for PRECIOUS (3), Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for A SERIOUS MAN (4) and Quentin Tarantino for INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (5).
The association voted SIN NOMBRE as the best foreign-language film of the year. Runners-up were BROKEN EMBRACES (2), SUMMER HOURS (3), THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (4) and RED CLIFF (5).
THE COVE won for Best Documentary over ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL (2), CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY (3), THIS IS IT (4) and a tie between BURMA VJ and THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE (5).
UP was named the best animated film of 2009, with FANTASTIC MR. FOX as runner-up. Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner won the Best Screenplay award for UP IN THE AIR over Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for A SERIOUS MAN.
The award for Best Cinematography went to Andrew Lesnie for THE LOVELY BONES, followed by Barry Ackroyd for THE HURT LOCKER.
The association voted PRECIOUS as the winner of the Russell Smith Award, named for the late Dallas Morning News film critic. The honor is given annually to the best low-budget or cutting-edge independent film.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association consists of 33 broadcast, print and online journalists from throughout North Texas. For more information, visit www.dfwfilmcritics.com.
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