Haunting and all too timely

Rating: 9/10 (20 December 2010)

This work of art exposes the disconnect in our modern, fast-paced society in ways that have never been explored. Examples are as follows:
1)George Clooney's main character lives in a motel room with no pretense of being a real home, very sterile and spartan. He is far from his family emotionally and geographically and does not relate well to other people in many cases. 2)Employers don't even talk with their employees, just hiring another company to come in to terminate them. 3)Big Rust Belt companies are dying on the vine. Mr. Clooney has been to Detroit a lot and says so. Their offices are barren with phones strewn all over the floors and carpet with impressions where the desks used to be. 4)Vera Farmiga is an exquisite job with her role as the love interest. I knew something was wrong with her but just couldn't place it. My friends, family, and co-workers are still complaining about the amoral wanton slut. 5)Of course, there is the obligatory smart-girl new grad from a northeastern school who delivers the bad news the all the laid off employees. This must be quite demeaning to a 62 year old grandfather with a high school diploma. That is often how it happens.
Most troubling: All of the people being fired appear to be middle aged, old, fat, African-American, or some other minority. As in real life, they have all been in their positions a long time, earning an above average salary to the point that they are on the radar to be let go. All that vacation, 401k, health care is too expensive for these types of people when you can hire Mayling in China (or Maria in Mexico) for $1 per day.
"I'm here to be fired, aren't I?" "I have plans, there's a bridge near my house, and I gonna jump off it."
All of the main characters, particularly Clooney and Farmiga, do a fantastic job and rattle the viewer to the core with this all too timely work. Just outstanding.