Up in the Air

"Up in the Air" is round three for Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking; Juno). It's the story of Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who makes a living firing people. Ryan burns up miles in the sky flying from city to city performing his duties. He loves travel and rues the small part of the year he doesn't work. His apartment looks like a hotel room. His philosophy is to avoid being weighed down my material possessions and relationships. He avoids most of what all people love and cherish. Perpetually on the move, travelling lightly and efficiently. Ryan also has a self-help seminar based on his lifestyle where he asks the question: "how much does your life weigh?" Then, he urges taking those things that weigh us down out of our "backpacks". I find myself at odds with Ryan's philosophy. I'm materialistic, a friend to many, and very much a family-oriented person. But Ryan nearly convinced me all those things were holding me back. He enchanted me. 

Ryan meets a lot of people. Most of them one time and never again. Although, there is one person (a woman) he calls back. Alex (Vera Farmiga) travels a lot, too. They share the type of non-commitment relationship that Ryan is comfortable with, only meeting when their paths cross. They're practically the same person on the exterior. They each know exactly what they want out of the relationship, at first.

Then there's Natalie (the incredibly cute Anna Kendrick). She's the kind of person that seems destined for success. Put together, neat, all-business. She's initially at odds with Ryan because of her plan to modernize the "termination facilitation" (as Ryan calls it) business by using TV screens and cameras to fire employees rather than a face-to-face meeting. However, she finds herself traveling with Ryan on his possible final tour of duty. He takes pride in his work and intends to show her that face-to-face is the only possible way the job could be done. That can't be stressed enough: Ryan loves what he does. It's in sync with his lifestyle.

Ryan believes Natalie's approach is too cold. He believes that there's a certain elegance to his job. Something that is lost without physical contact. Losing your job isn't a happy event. It's urgent and life-changing. But it's OK. Ryan is on your side. He's there to let you down safely and he'll even help you get back on your feet. He has some pamphlets and papers for that... Would you rather be fired by a face on a television? Or by Ryan? Natalie has many drilled termination facilitators. They have flowcharts that will help them get the job done. But Ryan doesn't need a flowchart. Ryan is the flowchart. He's a human termination facilitator. He's the epitome of "married to my job."

Stylistically, "Up in the Air" continues Reitman's unique film-making style. An interesting opening and his trademark brief illustrative sequences are there. There's moments of comedy and moments of tragedy, but it's not heavy on either. It's the journey of Ryan and the people he meets along the way. Take it, or leave it.

"Up in the Air" is a wonderful film. So, I won't spoil anything else for you. Fly with Ryan and discover this film for yourself. (***)