Up in the Air • The Next Reel

"We are here to make limbo tolerable, to ferry wounded souls across the river of dread, and to point where hope is dimly visible. And then we stop the boat, shove them in the water and make them swim." This week, ladies and gentlemen, we -- Pete Wright and Andy Nelson -- talk about Jason Reitman's third, and arguably best, film: 2009's Up in the Air. It's an amazing film that deals in a heavy issue of our time -- the economic downturn and widespread downsizing. What's even more amazing is how the film ends up, for the most part, leaving you with a feeling of hope. Sure, there are tragic elements, but overall, it's the message of connection with others that resounds by the film's end. Join us this week as we chat about all the great performances in the film led by George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick, as well as the amazing technical hands working behind the scenes. We talk about the unique decision to cast all those let go in the film with real-world people who had, in fact, recently been let go. And we cover the themes of the story and what Reitman and before him Walter Kirn, upon whose 2001 novel the film is based, are getting across in the film. It's a beautiful film, well deserving of all the accolades it received upon its release. Connect with us this week as we talk about it! Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible