"Up in the Air" named Best Film by NBR

The movie bagged three other awards. George Clooney, who plays a corporate road warrior, won the best actor award. He shared it with Morgan Freeman who starred in “Invictus”.

Anna Kendrick was awarded the best supporting actress, and Jason Reitman and co-writer Sheldon Turner won the award for adapted screenplay.

Based on the novel by Walter Kirn, the film also stars Vera Farmiga. The Paramount release also received Freedom of Expression Award.

The Review
The film features Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a middle-aged bachelor who does not want to commit as he is too busy in his job. He is in an airplane 320 days a year working as a traveling hatchet. However, he is scared to fire the employees.

His boss Craig Gregory (Jason Bateman) hires Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), a pretentious woman who wants to implement an online system to fire employees. She criticizes the old-fashioned expensive way Bingham follows.

Bingham’s love life is cold, but he finally meets a woman who helps him keep his feet on the ground. Kindred spirit Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga) is a worshipper of elite status. She connects with Bingham fantastically.

Brilliant writing and perfect cast
Director Jason Reitman of “Juno” and “Thank You for Smoking” fame said, “This is the most personal film I've ever made.”

Reitman shows a beautiful and ravishing Midwestern wedding, which is said to be the best part of the movie. Perfect casting, and brilliant writing make "Up in the Air" a timeless movie.

It has everything; heart, mind and humor. The movie shows what it means to be human in all senses of the word.

NBR, an indicator of the Oscar race
The awards will be handed out Jan. 12 at Cipriani's 42nd Street in Manhattan. Hopeful movies like "Avatar", "Nine", "The Lovely Bones", and "A Single Man" were ignored by NBR.

The NBR awards, an indicator of the Oscar race to follow, are voted by a 108-member organization, composed of film enthusiasts and academics. NBR's choices capture many awards in the Oscars.