[SPOILER ALERT: Up in the Air] What does Ryan Bingham do at the end.......

[browski]

Spoiler alert. Turn away if you have not yet seen "Up in the Air".


OK, I wandered along last night. Surprsingly few people for opening night (maybe 10 in the theatre).
Anyway, a superb movie - funny, depressing, surprising depth.....

The last 20 minutes is fantastic cinema.

Anyway, in the final scene, Ryan stands before a great board of departure flights and chooses to do what exactly?........it's been puzzling me.

a) continues to work in his job
b) Quits his job, randomly picks a flight and reconnects with society
c) kills himself
d) heads to northern Wisconsin

Can anyone give me their guess, or is it meant to be left "Up in the Air"?

 

[djfuzz]

Spoiler alert. Turn away if you have not yet seen "Up in the Air".


OK, I wandered along last night. Surprsingly few people for opening night (maybe 10 in the theatre).
Anyway, a superb movie - funny, depressing, surprising depth.....

The last 20 minutes is fantastic cinema.

Anyway, in the final scene, Ryan stands before a great board of departure flights and chooses to do what exactly?........it's been puzzling me.

a) continues to work in his job
b) Quits his job, randomly picks a flight and reconnects with society
c) kills himself
d) heads to northern Wisconsin

Can anyone give me their guess, or is it meant to be left "Up in the Air"?

Spoiler alert applies here too.

I think the point of a film like that is that it is specifically up to your own interpretation, so option (e) would be correct.

Personally, I would go with (b) though - which is closest to what happens in the book (though him quitting his job and trying to move to a mythical superfirm was spelled out from the start there). I think the film leads itself to option (d), though perhaps the point was he just picks a random destination as in (b).

Having read the book now, I have to say I prefer the film - and other than the FF references, I wasn't all that bowled over by it either. Enjoyable, but not the amazing emotional rollercoaster it's being billed as.

(Thanks again to Danger for the preview tix though! ).

 

[uzza]

SPOILERS HERE!!!





Definately a) or b), I definately don't think he kills himself (if he was to do that why wouldn't he given away all 10M instead of only 500K of his miles), heading to the family seems less likely after his own sister won't accept him to walk down the aisle. a) seems possible as the girl quit so he heads to back to his old life especially after its revealed Vera Famiga's character is married (so only way to be together is on the road), then b) is possible because he's grown into a functional person who doesn't even belive his own advice .

The pessimist inside me leans towards a) as a kind of "some people never change", but the overall feel of the film lends itself to b).


I thought it was great film, I could watch it again for sure - moreso for the story than just the FF refs (enjoyed them though), Jason Reitman's got a good shot at some gongs for this come awards season, Clooney also! 4.5* from me

 

[tuppaware]

It was pretty deep for a clooney movie...
I enjoyed it , similar to Lost in translation, but without those really silent scenes.

 

[dede]

and a bit of info (take Wikipedia with a grain of salt) here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_in_the_Air_(film)

 

[oz_mark]

We'll find out in 'Up In The Air 2"

 

[BlueAU]

We'll find out in 'Up In The Air 2"

I hope two comes out

 

[drewbles]

Breaking news...
I just found the poster for the Sequel.

:mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[dede]

I must have fallen asleep during the bit where he ties all the balloons to his house.

 

[QF WP]

I was debating whether the movie would be worthwhile to arrange some meets around Australia for AFF people, but I forgot to post before Xmas and it's too late now.

When am I going to get time to watch it at the theatre anyway. Just wait until it get's onto Foxtel channels that I watch

 

[kpc]

I have seen the movie, and after all the hype I've heard / read, I found it overall an "OK" movie with a little bit about frequent flyer stuff in it...if you are looking for a movie which talks about mileage runs, how to maintain / get airline / hotel status, you'll be disappointed! The 3 programs mentioned in the movie are: AA, Hilton Honors and Avis (IIRC).

 

[drewbles]

I have seen the movie, and after all the hype I've heard / read, I found it overall an "OK" movie with a little bit about frequent flyer stuff in it...if you are looking for a movie which talks about mileage runs, how to maintain / get airline / hotel status, you'll be disappointed! The 3 programs mentioned in the movie are: AA, Hilton Honors and Avis (IIRC).

Hertz, not Avis.

I thought the movie was brilliant. Seen it twice and will definitely get it on DVD when it comes out.

I never expected it to be about mileage runs as I knew the plot line of the movie before I went to see it (person who wants 10 million miles and lives on the road for work - no mention of the status run, he's just a status cough).

Very well written, and a very non-hollywood ending. Probably why I liked it so much (I really don't like movies that confirm to the 'fairytale' ending, for the sake of conformity.

 

[oz_mark]

Didn't that hotel in his hometown have some program too?

 

[lovestotravel]

Didn't that hotel in his hometown have some program too?

Do you mean the one where he has to stand back in line and asks if the other check-in lady is free and she says "No this is for ****** members only" ?



The movie!

Well I loved it, lots of free plugs for Hilton, a few for Hertz as well :mrgreen:

The ending was not what I expected but I give it 9.5/10!

I also "liked" how all the MD80's had a very nice First class product

 

[oz_mark]

Do you mean the one where he has to stand back in line and asks if the other check-in lady is free and she says "No this is for ****** members only" ?

Yes, that one.

The movie!

Well I loved it, lots of free plugs for Hilton, a few for Hertz as well :mrgreen:

Not sure how free they were

 

[kpc]

...and Avis (IIRC).

Hertz, not Avis.

Couldn't remember whether it was Hertz or Avis....I have to say I actually predicted the ending... Does the AA loyalty card for flying 10 million miles actually exist?

 

[drewbles]

Didn't that hotel in his hometown have some program too?

"I'm sorry sir, but this line is reserved for members of our Matterhorn Program!"

 

[drewbles]

Does the AA loyalty card for flying 10 million miles actually exist?

I don't believe so. There are also more than 7 people who have reached 10 million miles. AA actually did release a statement on it saying that there were more than 7, although the numbers were still low (and no, you don't meet the 'chief pilot' nor have your name put on the side of an aircraft )

 

[Febs]

Personally I thought it was pretty clear-cut. He tried a new lifestyle, completely changed his perspective on life, got badly burnt, and went back to his old (and comfortable) lifestyle.

IMO, he continued his travelling and his job exactly like he did at the start of the movie. I don't think his character in the movie was anywhere near as determined to quit the travel after the 10MM mark as the character in the book (mind you, I've only read the first few chapters).

I saw it on opening night in the US, and will see it again (gf wants to see it) soon, so I'll see if I come out with a different opinion the second time,

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[lovestotravel]

"I'm sorry sir, but this line is reserved for members of our Matterhorn Program!"

HAHA yes that's it!