I’d So Drink Jason Reitman’s Kool-Aid…

Posted in Diary of a Directrix, Reviews
January 8th, 2010 by Devi Snively (The Directrix)

kool aid manUp-in-the-Air-Jason-ReitmanFriend and editor Lauren Schweitzer established the Kool-Aid barometer whilst we were sipping martinis at an outdoor cafe and flirting with our waiter several months back.  It’s the new “spongeworthy” for those who remember the Seinfeld reference. 

picture_31.pngAnyway, Agustin, Jeremy and I went to go see Avatar at the Dome the other night.  Luckily, we stopped in to the Velvet Margarita for a few drinks beforehand and by the time we got to the Arclight, the screening had sold out. So, instead we went to see Up in the Air (which I was far more excited about anyway.)  Yay!

And WOW!

up-in-the-air-publicity-stillOnce in a while a film comes along that speaks to me in such  a way as to remind me we are none of us so very unique, and, thus, we are none of us ever truly alone.  Movies like Harold & Maude, Network, Lost In Translation and now Up in the Air immediately spring to mind.

In such a simple yet, poignant world, with such beautifully specific details, Up in the Air, to me, sums up our era so perfectly right now.  Ryan Bingham, George Clooney’s character, is perhaps the most honest, relevant, realistic, 3-dimensionally amazing portrait of a set of beautifully contextualized ideologies I’ve seen in a movie, possibly ever.

AVT-up_in_the_air_jpg_595x325_crop_upscale_q85Through his eyes we see so many other lives and choices – without judgment or prejudice – merely examining.  We clearly see how what’s right for some may not be right for others.  We see how life can throw one curve balls and how sometimes things can seriously suck, but also how one needs to take it in stride and not rely on anyone else.  vera-farmiga-up-in-the-air-1We are responsible for our own happiness, even when others threaten it.  Without giving away spoilers, I daresay I’ve never empathized with a character more than I did in the final shot of Clooney’s character at an airport.  I get goosebumps just thinking about it.  Thank you, George Clooney and Jason Reitman (and Vera Farmiga who plays one of the sexiest characters I’ve seen in ages!) – yes!!!!!

Though not at all preachy, to me the film says, “In order to find happiness, one must know what makes her happy and go with it. One mustn’t do merely what she’s supposed to do, or feels obligated to do if she has any chance at finding fulfillment.” Maude of my fave film Harold & Maude puts it well:

maude“Vice, Virtue. It’s best not to be too moral. You cheat yourself out of too much *life*.  Aim above morality. If you apply that to life, then you’re bound to live life fully.”

In other words, to thine own self, be true.”  My favorite theme of all time and one I try to inject in everything I write.

That said, write I must.  I’m getting a rather late start today thanks to a lovely adventure last night.  But more on that another time.  This self must go be true to today’s goals and dreams.  In the meantime, if you haven’t already, go see Up in the Air. Reitman’s Kool-aid is definitely spongeworthy!

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