Turbulent dramedy; cast excels in this timely tale of economic ups & downs

Rating: 9/10 (4 January 2010)

UP IN THE AIR (2009) *** George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton, Danny McBride, Melanie Lynskey, J.K. Simmons, Zach Galifianakis, Clooney excels as a corporate firer for hire whose charm borderlines smarm and the good life (of literally being the title for traveling so extensively as a 'lifestyle') faces his own personal crises when the powers that be saddle him with a freshly scrubbed college grad (ambitiously obnoxious – in a good way – Kendrick) to tag along and see how the route works as she has designed an interfacing method (dismissal by video chat!) Along for the ride is fellow traveler Farmiga (equally wonderful in a icy, brittle fashion) who is Clooney's booty call (and possible wake-up call too boot). Filmmaker Jason Reitman – who co-scribed the witty and timely adaptation with Sheldon Turner of Walter Kirn's novel – covers all the bases – comedy/drama/soul-searching/redemption parable - and makes the film a near-instant classic (when the characters aren't so in love with themselves is the only Achilles' heel; but then again that's the point isn't it?)