Flick of The Day: Up in the Air

American director Jason Reitman burst on to the scene with his debut film Thank You for Smoking, a witty and acerbic take on the big tobacco lobbying industry and followed this up with the lovely Juno. Hopes were high then for his third film, an adaptation of a 2001 novel by American author Walter Kirn which is today's flick of the  day Up in the Air.

Up in the Air

George Clooney is Ryan Bingham, a businessman who travels more then 300 days a year, moving around the country working as a consultant who fires people on behalf of large companies. He lives a life of solitude and revels in the little details and status symbols of his life on the road. His air miles, his priority check-in at the airport and car rental office. Alone by choice, he revels in these little perks. Then of course he meets someone, a fellow traveller called Alex played by the gorgeous Vera Farmiga. Two very similar people, they are soon synchronising their schedules to meet up in hotels across the country. Of course Ryan's perfect bubble life is soon threatened by the arrival of a career oriented twenty-something Natalie, played by Anna Kendrick who has big plans for his business including taking people off the road and firing people via video conferencing. Ryan convinces his boss Jason Bateman to allow him to take Natalie on the road and show her the ropes. It is a learning experience for both of them and as the film moves towards a conclusion, Ryan is forced to engage with real life and reconcile himself with the remaining family he has left.

George Clooney is the real star here but there are some fine performances from a great ensemble cast. There are blink and you will miss it cameos from J.K. Simmons and Zach Galifianakis and they all make the best of a great script. There is a great sense of realism to Clooney's characterisation. His regimented method for passing through airports is a delightful truism. That said, we never really get to the bottom of why he lives life the way he does, in a luxury cocoon with nothing to tie him down. Indeed, while much of the film is upbeat and quite funny at times, it ends on a sour note. Ultimately, it becomes apparent that he longs for more and is in fact lonely. No man is an island I suppose.

It is an ambitious movie and Reitman deserves to be lauded for this. It attempts to ask serious questions about modern life and the way we compartmentalise our lives while still offering a funny and entertaining piece of cinema.

Ryan Bingham: [on getting through airport security] Never get behind old people. Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Bingo, Asians. They pack light, travel efficiently, and they have a thing for slip on shoes. Gotta love 'em.

You can't really ignore that ending though, it is a sad film at heart and that is not something that the proceeding 90 minutes would lead you to expect. Man lives in bubble. Man decides to leave bubble. Man is crushed. Man returns to bubble. 

All in all, an enjoyable film and well worth a look. It marries the usual charm of George Clooney with some fine character actors and a great script. A bold and modern romance, it was nominated for Best Picture losing out in a strong year. It is definitely worth a viewing and I look forward to Reitman's next film.

Ryan Bingham: [End of closing monologue] The stars will wheel forth from their daytime hiding places; and one of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over