Up in the Air Review by Rebecca Bartola

     Up in the Air, coming out on DVD on March 9, 2010, is a film that follows a single man who tries to disprove the complacency of the “American Dream.” It is based on the novel Up in the Air by Walter Kirn. Ryan Bingham, played by George Clooney, is an employee of a company whose sole purpose is to send its workers across the country to fire groups of people who work for failing companies. Bingham believes true freedom is to live without possessions and with minimal relationships with family or friends. However, his carefree lifestyle is threatened when Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), a recent Cornell graduate, proposes to save the company money by eliminating airfare and switching to online video conference firings. In order to teach Keener the finesse required to fire dozens of people, Clooney takes Kendrick on several trips so he can teach her his corporate downsizing skills. Clooney unexpectedly meets a woman named Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), someone who appears to live a similar lifestyle, free from any weighty responsibilities.

    Bingham is the impersonation of a modern adventurer, creating a lifestyle for himself that confronts the status quo. Clooney brings charisma to a role that would otherwise be contemptible. Farmiga has a mysterious, fresh vibe that appeals to the audience, while Kendrick is a strident greenhorn who transforms into a relatable human being.

     Up in the Air had a slightly comedic indie vibe which is captivating.  Bingham undergoes a catharsis of his personal beliefs during the movie, which concludes in a magnanimous realization. Ultimately, this film makes the viewer question what is important in his or her life, or, as Ryan Bingham says, “What would you put in your backpack?”

RATING: A