Wise-cracking superstar George Clooney might have one of the most famous faces on the planet right now, but he certainly remembers a time when things weren’t quite so good.
“You’ve got to remember that I have 12 or so years of really bad television under my belt,” Clooney joked to Metro. “I saved up some really bad years and I remember them very well. There will be more of them in the coming years as well.”
The reason the typically jovial actor is reminiscing about his not so pleasant days is because of his role in the new film Up In The Air, in which he plays a man who fires people for a living. It’s a business that in the midst of an economic recession is booming.
The dark comedy/drama written and directed by Jason Reitman (of Juno and Thank You for Smoking fame) is a movie that feels very much of the moment. However, according to Clooney, the project was started just before the current economic crisis and ended up being much more culturally relevant than anyone expected.
“When I first read the script it was just before the big crash,” revealed Clooney. “As we were working on the film it became less and less of a comedy and much more about real people and real things.
“Suddenly it felt more timely than ever before and we ended up in the exact right moment to be making this film. I think we were lucky to make a movie that’s sort of important to talk about.”
With its intelligent script and a talented cast, Up in the Air would have been a successful film at any time. But its particularly timely themes will inevitably help it connect deeply with audiences. When asked if he had been hurt by the recession yet,
Clooney quipped “Yes, I fired six of my drivers. Because you know. at some point eight or nine is fine. I also put one of my planes on eBay and sold that. So yeah, I’ve had to downscale considerably since the crisis.”
Up in the Air is the type of movie that has become a specialty for George Clooney. It’s an oddball and clever little project that only made it off the ground because the actor attached his marquee name to the title.
Since achieving worldwide fame, Clooney has admirably used his status to make films that he believes in and hopes to be able to continue to do so in the future.
“It’s hard to find the right kind of films, but I’ve been lucky enough to continue along this path. I try to make interesting movies within a limited budget because I don’t just want to make blockbuster tentpoles. There’s nothing wrong with them. They keep the studios going, but you know, there’s not really a place for me if that’s the only business in town. I already buried that Bat franchise once, I don’t really have a lot of ways left to go.”
• Up in the Air opens in theatres tomorrow
