A movie that's cold and shows harsh reality. Yet it's a drama that tries making a sharp connection, plus it captures the current times really well.

Rating: 10/10 (26 December 2009)

Without a doubt Jason Reitman's "Up in the Air" is one of the best films of 2009, as when watching it you see it really connects and shows the current times really well. As it's themes though cold and harsh are now an everyday reality like layoffs, corporate downsizing, and the firing of people everywhere across this great land of ours. Still aside from the picture's timely themes it's blended with enough vivid characters and a sharp love story that make it an instant classic to never forget.
George Clooney(in one of his most standout roles)is Ryan Bingham a lonely corporate downsizing executive who's life is flying in the air around the country to fire people. Ryan goes city to city company to company and gives people the harsh and straight news that they have no longer been needed and Bingham is good at it too he doesn't seem to miss any sleep. Ryan also has an obsession with frequent flying miles it's his goal to break the record.
Only Ryan's boss Craig(Jason Bateman)wants to tame it down some and keep Ryan out of the air and keep him grounded and change the game up some. Those new ways happen to be more high tech firing by conference calls of the internet and sugar coated meetings. And much of this rest on the newly hired young gun the bright and sassy new partner of Ryan's that is Natalie Keener(Anna Kendrick who's character shows such a fragile state behind her cruelness). Along the way as they journey together along the cities and conference rooms a lot is learned as Natalie sees she just isn't made out for this harsh world as she's taught lessons by the old pro Bingham which will open up doors for her in a new direction.
The biggest dilemma for Ryan is he must choose between his goal of flying miles or a connection to his heart with another frequent traveler Alex. Ryan meets an attractive and elegantly sexy lady named Alex(Vera Farmiga in a nice sexy role)one night at a classy hotel bar for traveling executives they both hit it off as the chemistry is just right. It leads to a one night stand romp in a hotel room, as a connection is made right then as Ryan feels lust has captured his heart. Along the way on more travel both Ryan and Alex have more romantic encounters that Ryan feels is becoming more and more unexpected love which has him at risk of settling down. Only Bingham will find out a big surprise with Alex as she has hidden secrets and looked only at him as escape.
Overall great film that along the way tried to change the central character of Ryan Bingham, yet in the end he rightfully stayed put as he belongs up in the air to make a living and that's his life. Most important it was good he was at least able to make some romantic connection along his journey even though if it wasn't meant and his influence in some way was used to change the life and attitude of the movies wild card Natalie(Anna Kendrick)showing her she was meant for a more sensitive job task not one like his of life flying and firing people. Really "Up in the Air" is a movie that will be looked upon for many years to come as it captures the mood and economic recession times of downsizing just perfect as when later and newer generations look back to see how a majority of people were living in 2009 they will look back to this film as it captures the harsh reality of the current life. "Up in the Air" is now a remembered instant classic.