Up in the Air – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Up in the Air

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2009

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Clooney fires people for a living and avoids human connection—until his empty life philosophy starts cracking. Sharp, sad, adult.

7.4/10

90%

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Up in the Air

movie

R, 2009

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Clooney fires people for a living and avoids human connection—until his empty life philosophy starts cracking. Sharp, sad, adult.

7.4

90%

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7.4/10

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Screenwise Verdict

Up in the Air is a well-crafted, intelligent drama that captures something real about modern American life—the transience, the corporate coldness, the way we can mistake motion for meaning. Clooney is excellent as a man who's perfected the art of not caring, and watching that facade crack is genuinely affecting.

But let's be clear: this is not family viewing. The R rating is earned through sexual content, language, and themes that are firmly in adult territory. It's a film about a man having an affair, firing people, and confronting the emptiness of his choices. The tone is melancholic and cynical.

For mature viewers (actual adults, not "mature 15-year-olds"), it's worth watching. It's the kind of movie that makes you think about your own life choices and whether you're connecting with people or just passing through. Just don't expect uplift—expect insight, some laughs, and a lingering sense of sadness about roads not taken.

Age Fit

This is strictly adult territory—17+ minimum. The sexual content, profanity, and emotionally complex themes about infidelity and existential emptiness require real maturity. It's a thoughtful film, but not remotely appropriate for kids or young teens.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Ryan Bingham is emotionally detached, avoids commitment, and literally fires people for a living. The film presents a cynical worldview about relationships and human connection—his philosophy is to keep life light and avoid emotional baggage. While the ending suggests some regret and growth, the overall tone is melancholic and emotionally distant. Not modeling kindness or cooperation so much as depicting the consequences of avoiding both.

Imaginative

Jason Reitman's direction is sharp and the script offers clever dialogue and a fresh take on corporate downsizing culture. The film's exploration of modern isolation and transient lifestyle is thought-provoking, with interesting visual metaphors (airports, loyalty programs, the backpack philosophy). It doesn't invite creative expression or building, but it does present ideas in an original way that makes you think about life choices differently.

Safe

Rated R with good reason. Contains moderate profanity throughout, sexual content including a scene with rear nudity and suggestive dialogue, and depicts an affair. The firing scenes show emotional distress and one person angrily storms out using obscenities. Common Sense Media recommends age 17+. While not graphically violent or gory, the sexual content and mature themes around infidelity, job loss, and existential emptiness make this inappropriate for younger viewers.

Enriching

Strong critical reception (90% RT, 83 Metacritic) reflects genuine substance. The film tackles meaningful questions about work-life balance, the cost of emotional detachment, and what constitutes a meaningful life. George Clooney's performance is nuanced, showing a man slowly realizing his philosophy is bankrupt. It offers real insight into corporate culture, modern loneliness, and the human need for connection. The firing scenes with real people who lost jobs during the 2008 recession add documentary-like weight.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely smart script that asks hard questions about modern life, work, and what makes existence meaningful
George Clooney delivers one of his best performances as a man who's built a fortress around his heart
The film incorporates real people who lost their jobs during the recession, giving it documentary weight and authenticity
Excellent supporting cast (Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga) with witty, realistic dialogue
Doesn't tie everything up neatly—leaves you thinking about the choices we make

⚠

What to Watch For

Sexual content including rear nudity, affair storyline, and suggestive dialogue—definitely R-rated
Profanity throughout, including angry outbursts during firing scenes
Emotionally heavy themes: job loss, infidelity, loneliness, existential emptiness
The protagonist's worldview is cynical and detached—he's not a role model until maybe the very end
Might hit hard if your family has dealt with layoffs or corporate downsizing

Conversation Starters

"Ryan talks about keeping your 'backpack' light—what do you think he means? What would you put in yours?"
"The movie shows how Ryan avoids real relationships. Why do you think he does that? What's he afraid of?"
"How do you think the people being fired felt? What would you want someone to say to you in that situation?"
"Ryan collects miles and status but feels empty. What's the difference between achieving goals and finding meaning?"
"Do you think Ryan changes by the end? What would you do differently if you were him?"

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