Based on a novel by Walter Kirn (which I haven’t read, and was unfamiliar with until now), Up in the Air is the story of Ryan Bingham, a professional hatchet man – he’s hired to fire people. He’s very good at his job, largely because he doesn’t make it personal, or take it personally. Ryan takes very little personally, actually; he travels over 300 days a year and keeps most of his life in a suitcase. His “home” is an impersonal studio apartment in Omaha where he spends as little time as possible. He has no close family or intimate relationships. And he seems to like it that way. He’s developed a sideline as a motivational speaker: his topic, “What’s in Your Backpack?,” concerns becoming as unencumbered by possessions and connections as possible.
However, when his employer makes a move to de-personalize the firing experience by doing it via teleconference, Ryan rebels; he feels that the work requires a human touch. To demonstrate that, he takes Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), a recent business-school grad who developed the teleconference idea, on the road with him; he believes she needs to know what it feels like to fire people, and to feel how people feel about being let go from their jobs.
I don’t want to reveal much more of the story, but I do want to tell you this: I loved this movie. It’s almost painfully timely for the Great 21st-Century Recession, but don’t let that scare you away from it. It’s serious at times, but it’s not a downer – and at other times it’s hysterically funny. It’s smart, and I felt that it was true to life. The characters felt real; George Clooney does an outstanding job playing a charming, surprisingly sympathetic jackass who takes his work seriously and comes to consider that he may want to carry a few things – and people – in his backpack after all.
This was our Family Move Night selection with hubby's family over the holidays, and I loved it as well. There's certainly a message in the story, but they don't hit us over the head with it, and it is very well-told and well-acted. Great review!
I'm glad to see this is so good – I'll have to ask my "movie-going" friend if she'll go with me to see it.
I really want to see this! I'm glad you liked it so much- it gives me hope! 🙂
I agree completely! MY husband and I LOVED this movie! It felt more real than any movie that I have seen in a very long time so funny and touching and just great!
Rebecca – I read what you had to say about the movie before we saw it, and quoted you to my husband :-).
Kathy (Bermudaonion) – Hope she'll agree to go. This one's definitely worth it, although my husband and I disagreed about the ending.
Marie – As you may have noticed from the earlier comment, Rebecca liked it too :-).
Caitie – I absolutely agree. I do enjoy my popcorn movies, but sometimes I really appreciate ones with realistic settings, good dialogue, and very little in the way of special effects :-).
I had absolutely no desire to see this movie until your review. Now I really want to see it. I've been better about seeing grown-up movies now that the kids are older but I don't get to see them too often. I sure hope I can work this one in.
I'd heard that this was good, but didn't really know what it was about. Now I'm going to have to see it!
My husband and I went to see "It's Complicated" because it was in town (it would be fine as a rental). Now I think I'm going to have to drag him to the nearest big city so we can see this one!
I confess this here, and I confess this now: I am in love with George Clooney.
Ti – "I had absolutely no desire to see this movie until your review." Can I just say how gratifying that is :-)? It's definitely not for kids – rated R, mostly for language – but if you can get the chance, see it!
Stacybuckeye – I sort of knew what it was about, but I liked it much more than I expected to. I'm always glad when that happens.
Jeanne – I haven't decided NOT to see It's Complicated, but given some of Nancy Meyers' previous movies, "it would be fine as a rental" sounds about right. Up in the Air may move into more theaters if it builds awards buzz, so you may get lucky and not have to go so far to see it!
Beth K – I will applaud your excellent taste, and let you know that the line forms over to the right. MANY of us are in love with George Clooney :-).
I really enjoyed this movie, too. Timely, and funny and sad at the same time. I enjoyed watching Clooney play this fellow very believably. Definitely one of my favorites this year!
Jenn really wants to see this movie. She says it has nothing to do with George Clooney being in it, but I'm not sure I buy it. 🙂
Glad to hear you liked it, just in case I get dragged there. I guess it is her turn to pick a movie…
Tracy (Gentle Reader) – That was pretty much my reaction to it as well. I enjoy watching George Clooney in pretty much anything, but I thought he did an excellent job here.
Mike – Yeah, I wouldn't buy it either (and neither does Tall Paul). It was definitely a selling point for me :-).
For the record, though, Tall Paul liked it too. But yes, you should let Jenn pick the movie this time.
I so want to see this movie! I can't believe how much Clooney looks like Cary Grant in that picture.
Lisa – I thought the same thing, both about the picture and numerous times while watching the movie. George Clooney is our generation's Cary Grant – lucky us :-D!