Review : UP IN THE AIR

10 million miles is too huge distance is too huge distance to travel. How much time you need to travel that distance? Ask Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), he knows it since he had done it.

 

Ryan Bingham's firm has expertise in firing the people from their jobs. Company which want to get downsized gives contract to Ryan Bingham's firm to fire people without creating any hassles and complications for that company. Ryan Bingham travels for 321 days across the country firing the people and enjoys the luxury of preferential treatment he gets while traveling. His target is to attain mileage of 10 million air miles. In one of his assignments, Ryan meets Alex (Vera Farmiga). Their meeting leads to a casual relationship between them. One day, Ryan's firm decided to adopt cost-cutting measures by grounding all its on-road employees. Now the company wants to use the technology to fire people just by sitting in Omaha, the location of Ryan's office. This idea is brainchild of Natalie (Anna Kendrick) who has just joined the company. Ryan doesn't agree with this idea since it is difficult to connect with to-get-fired employees emotionally and psychologically through internet. Ryan's boss tells him to take Natalie with him in further assignments so that she can learn the tricks.

The best moments of movie begin from here with Natalie's boyfriend breaking off with her through text message. More hilarious moments follows. Also it appears that Ryan and Alex’s casual relationship is leading to somewhere. After few downsizing assignments, Ryan's boss decides that Natalie has learned enough to do the job herself. So it is the best time for Natalie to use her idea of technology in doing the assignment. Since Ryan has been grounded, he thinks of all his relationships and tries to reconnect with them. He attends his sisters’ marriage along with Alex and also tries to give a surprise to Alex by visiting her home in Chicago.

The end part of the movie begins here with unraveling of twists leading to interesting climax.

 

All the characters were well sketched. Each of the main actors deserves an Oscar nomination, though it is tough for them to win, due to presents of strong contenders. The role of Ryan Bingham was tailor made for Clooney. Vera Farmega underplayed her character and did full justice to it. Anna Kendrick was awesome and most likable character of all.

First half of movie was funny and sarcastic. It helped to build the second half. Second half was more intense. It builds the sympathy for the character of Ryan though everyone want to hate him for job he does.

The music and the songs were beautiful, especially the song shot during the Ryan's sisters wedding.

The dialogues and screenplay was brilliant. Some of the dialogues will become cult. The one dialogue which will always remain in my mind is “Loyalty is not cheap”

My Rating: 3/5