Faith in Film 3, Week 9


Here is a look at this week's worksheet.

Title: “Up In The Air” (2009)

Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick

Synopsis: “Up In The Air” is the third feature from writer/director Jason Reitman, and it is perhaps his most complete film. Reitman offers a unique brand of off beat humor and drama mixed with cultural satire. Reitman began with the film “Thank You For Smoking” in 2005 then followed that up with the Academy Award-nominated film “Juno,” which was written by Diablo Cody. With “Up In The Air,” Reitman freely adapted the novel from Walter Kirn and did a wonderful job of crafting a funny movie that presents an interesting perspective of life and perfectly captures America during a period of economic unrest. Many critics had it at or near the top of every Best Film of the year poll.

“Up In The Air” garnered a great deal of critical praise, including from Academy Award voters. It was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor (Clooney), and Best Supporting Actress (Farmiga and Kendrick). It didn’t win a single award, but it did feature arguably Clooney’s best performance. He has a layered role and becomes the focal point for the film’s exploration of the importance of connections and relationships in the world. The argument posited by his character seems to be that people were never intended to be tied down by the baggage that accompanies long-term relationships. This seems to contradict the ideas presented in the Bible.

Questions to Consider:

1. What role did God see interpersonal relationships as playing in our lives?

2. What is the social and moral value of a marriage relationship?

3. What is the social and moral value of being part of a connected faith community?

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