In the same way Gordon Gekko epitomized the corporate greed of the 1980s, so does Ryan Bingham(George Clooney) signify today's era of corporate isolationism. Ryan is a professional downsizer. When big corporations need to fire a bunch of folks but don't have the sack to do it themselves, they call him. And he's good at it. Ryan knows just what to say to make losing one's job and often their dignity...well, somewhat palatable. Their future is laid out for them in the nice, neat little packet he gives them.
He is an isolationist. He lives out of airports and hotels. He's on the road 320 days a year. He carries his frequent flyer club cards like badges of honor, and flashes them like old war wounds with fantastic stories attatched. His life doesn't leave much time for family or relationships of any sort. Ryan has a system. His "backpack theory", that emphasizes cutting out all extraneous relationships. It's a system that works for him. The deepest relationships he has are with the greeters at the various airports he frequents. Their rote responses and welcomes are soothing like a warm blanket. He prefers that to the unpredictable, heavy conversations he has with his sisters, one of which is getting married and wonders if Ryan will even bother to show up.
Ryan's jet-setting way of life is threatened when he meets Alex(Vera Farmiga), a woman not unlike himself. The two instantly hit it off, and their life philosophies seem to gel. They manage to meet up between layovers and extended stays. Ryan is also introduced to Natalie Keener(Anna Kendrick), an upstart go-getter at his firm who plans to revolutionize the firing business. No more will people like Ryan be needed to travel to each site to perform the dirty deed. She plans to do it over the internet via teleconference. Ryan hates this. He performs a service, and handles each "customer" with grace. He knows this is a bad idea, and takes Natalie out on the road with him for some experience.
After only three films, director Jason Reitman(Juno, Thank You for Smoking) has mastered the art of making topical, perceptive comedies that don't beat you over the head. Here he's made a film that is funnier than Juno, and certainly more even-keeled. But laughs aren't exactly what it's striving for, although there are plenty to be had. It's a slice of life examination of a man who has basically been created by the economic climate we face today. Reitman took it upon himself to bring in real life victims of the unemployment crisis to speak about what it's like to get that dire news. Often times it has less to do with the job itself and more to do with the feelings of betrayal, or the loss of comraderie with one's co-workers.
George Clooney's career has been an interesting one to watch since he took off after leaving ER all those years ago(and I quit watching that show with him!). He's grown from being merely a suave, cool playboy to one of Hollywood's elder statesman and cinematic pioneers. Regardless of what one thinks of his acting, he's always made interesting choices. Here, I think he puts on the performance that will define his career. Never has he been in such command. He plays Bingham as a disarming but aloof charmer. A blank slate even to those closest to him. I was happy to see Vera Farmiga(The Deaprted, Running Scared) playing a role that didn't involve her child running away or getting killed. She's both gorgeous and evocative. Those who know me know that I've been wanting Anna Kendrick to break out from her Twilight shell for awhile, and I think she's finally done it. I expect much more from her in the future.
Up in the Air will surprise you. It doesn't follow the usual path you think is being laid out for you, and takes you somewhere altogether different and enjoyable for different reasons. That sounds remarkably like one of Ryan Bingham's motivational pitches.
