From NetFlix:
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to recent college grad Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) — and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Golden Globe winner Jason Reitman’s smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman.
For at least one reason this film made me unhappy: I don’t look a bit like George Clooney. Now let’s get serious. Although I used to think he was just another Hollywood pretty boy, lately I have read that his acting has improved with age and indeed in this film he is perfect. I cannot say why without spoiling the film for you. At the very least, during the film assume nothing.
If nothing else this film captures perfectly the current depression of 2008 through (let’s hope) 2011. Remember, if your neighbor loses his job, it is a recession. If you lose your job, it is a depression. If you have ever been laid off from a job, this film will really resonate.
There are some laughs, but this film is only partly a comedy. In addition it offers genuine human value.
Until I started to write this review I had not realized that Jason Bateman, who plays George Clooney’s smarmy boss, was the star of the outrageous TV series “Arrested Development”. What a character transformation !
“Up In The Air” is an unqualified “must see”.
As a frequent traveller who’s had a wallet full of “elite” cards and business travel experience to rival Ryan Bingham’s, I related well to this character. I enjoyed the film’s beginning mostly from the wry sense of having been there and done that – and relief that I no longer define my life that way. The denoument captured the sequence of disappointment, despair and ultimate restoration very well.
Agree 100%. Also, I think the female actresses did a great job. And the film highlighted real life events with real life looking people.
I also read that a number of the “laid off” employees were actual unemployed.