Oscar season is upon us! This is traditionally a time when I get as worked up as most men and boys get during football season. However, I'm a bit more muted this year; the movie I'm rooting for isn't gonna get any proper Oscar love (hint: it involves "prawns").

Meanwhile, every year, there are always a couple of movies that leave me flabbergasted by how many Oscar nominations they receive. If I merely resented them at the point of watching them, my resentment turns into irascible petulance after they suddenly sprout seemingly uncountable nominations and awards.

This year, one of those movies is Up In The Air.

Don't get me wrong, I cannot deny that it is a well-executed film. A television film. To use that slightly derisive Americanism: "oh, that belongs on Hallmark channel".

Credit where it is due: the screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner is excellent, and does deserve its many Adapted Screenplay nominations. (Though I think An Education is the superior screenplay and should be the ultimate winner in all cases.) Mostly because the dialogue is constantly amusing - thanks to the confidently blasé main character, Ryan Bingham and the frequently insightful observations about people in airports and on flights.

What I don't get are the accolades bestowed on the actors. Sure, George Clooney and Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga serve their roles well - good dialogue delivery, and being on the mark at conveying their characters' attitudes. But it feels as if Clooney was nominated simply for his charm (again); and Kendrick because of that little crying scene she did - nicely played and a good twist, but a bit too light.

The editing was fine; it was exhilarating to see the fast-cuts used in the montages demonstrating Bingham's airport routines. But, otherwise, by the time I reached the third act of the movie, I wondered why I was still watching. The nicely cynical protagonist has, predictably, opened up to a side of him that craves relationships and connections, just so that the movie can affirm the normalcy of the dull masses. Oh, whoopee. In fact, what made the character interesting before was that he was different and persuasively so.

Am I then saying: "Don't watch the film?" Well no, I can't say that. You should watch it, if nothing else because it is one of very few Oscar Best Picture nominees that made it to our shores this year. And then you can decide for yourself whether you agree with this review, or not.

By the way, I'd love to hear your opinions in the comments section below. Hint.

Director Jason Reitman Cast George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman Runtime 111 mins Opens 4 March