Film stars like George Clooney are at their best in movies like Up In The Air, where they can show their dramatic ability in portraying an interesting character.  I enjoyed the new Jason Reitman film, just as much as his Oscar-nominated Juno.  Take a flight with Up In The Air, and you’ll enjoy the bumps and jolts of this modern-day story.

The film centers on Ryan Bingham (Clooney), a corporate downsizer who flies around the country firing employees of large companies.  His smooth, gentile style of making the workforce comfortable with their release has made him tops in his field.  His company wants to start cutting back on travel expenses, so they take on a plan by efficiency expert Natalie Keneer (Kendrick).  It’s a process designed for long-distance, computer face-to-face discharging of employees that would result in a huge increase in the company’s revenue.  

Craig Gregory (Jason Bateman), Ryan’s boss, appoints him to take Natalie into the field and show her what she faces.  It’s a plan that has merit, and it frightens the pants off of Ryan, whose work-life goals are seemingly coming to an end.

Writer-director Reitman is incredibly good at making his stories imaginative, interesting, shrewd and witty.  Here it’s a situation where this first-rate businessman is threatened by the changing times of computer communication, and he delivers that and more. You get a feel for Ryan, a man closing in on a life-time challenge to reach 10 million frequent flyer miles, while dealing with his estranged siblings, the company’s belt tightening and satisfying his sexual urges with airport quickies involving a fellow traveler (well played by Vera Farmiga).  The show is terrific and kept me intrigued until its creative ending.

The acting in the film is brilliant, charming and enjoyable.  In support of Clooney’s impeccable acting are some great players.  Farmiga gives a remarkable performance as an on-the-road promotions consultant who makes a chance connection with the high-powered Ryan.  At first an innocent meeting, the two start a relationship connecting whenever their air travel leads to the same city stops.  It’s lustful, yet sincere at times.

The film is rated R for language and some sexual content, important to the plot, but discerningly presented.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  Up In The Air is a first-class ticket.

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