U is for Up in the Air

U is for Up in the Air, nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards (lost to Precious). Jason Reitman wrote the screenplay with Sheldon Turner. Jason was the director of the excellent comedy Juno a couple years earlier. Up in the Air is rated R for language and some sexual content.

Our first views are of earth from the window seat of an airplane, a mode of travel known all too well to Ryan Bingham (George Clooney). He has the regrettable job of traveling to American cities to fire employees at companies apparently too ashamed to do it themselves. I would find it regrettable, but Ryan does not. He loves his job and his traveling, being partial to American Airlines and racking up their loyalty miles with every trip.

Change comes to his company as well when ingénue Natalie (Anna Kendrick) arrives on the scene. She has won over Ryan’s boss Craig (Jason Bateman) who hires her to train their employees on how to fire people online. This doesn’t go over so well with Ryan, and after he gives a demonstration showing that it’s not easy to fire someone, Craig sends Natalie on her merry way with Ryan all over the U.S. in order to learn how to fire people.

Ryan is an independent guy, until he meets Alex (Vera Farmiga) who appears to be the female equivalent of him: carefree, assertive, independent and wanting a little male/female bonding while on the road. Ryan reaches out to his family, as his sister is about to get married, and Alex goes with him to Wisconsin where the couple is about to tie the knot.

I really enjoyed George Clooney in his role as Ryan. He shows a vulnerability that makes him lovable, so we really don’t want anyone to hurt him. All the actors are great in their roles, and there are some wonderful cameos by J. K. Simmons and Zach Galifianakis as employees being fired that make those scenes memorable.

Natalie grows up while on the road, with Ryan almost taking a paternal role with her. He is after all old enough to be her father, and she considers him “old.” (What? George Clooney? Not yet.)

I loved the opening sequences when Ryan goes through his routine of packing his carryon bag for travel, something he’s obviously gotten down to a science. He moves through the airport, going through all those customary checkpoints that I have grown to expect, ticketing, security, waiting for boarding, all done in an entertaining manner.

I wonder how many others like Ryan and Alex are flying overhead right now. I enjoy my flights, but I don’t do it every day. I’m heading out to some great vacation or to see family, not to business meetings and the daily grind. I really enjoyed this look into a world that exists up there, over our heads. Who is on that plane? Are they happy? See Up in the Air for a glimpse into that world.

Up in the Air (2009) - Official Movie Trailer