Bingham is the ultimate schlemiel

Rating: 9/10 (12 May 2013)

Reitman the Younger is a true wunderkind. Of course, it's reasonable to assume that his first correct move is in picking great, compelling stories, and the story of Up in the Air is a winner. After this, his screen writing, casting, direction, editing, etc. are wonderful.
The depth of the story is highlighted by the fact that it took me a while to realize probably the most important fact of the larger scenario into which UitA is a window. It's that the people Bingham serves so slavishly--it's not enough he subjects himself to this; he creates and hosts presentations to siphon others into his lifestyle--would never subscribe to the lifestyle he idealizes. The people Bingham serves (and whom we never see in the movie) are thereby enabled to create a cash-intensive, hothouse facsimile of the lifestyle he derides with every word, every action, every breath. In short, it's important to recognize that Bingham is a schlemiel; perhaps the ultimate schlemiel.