The timely odyssey of Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizer and consummate modern business traveler who, after years of staying happily airborne, suddenly finds himself ready to make a real connection. Ryan has long been contented with his unencumbered lifestyle lived out across America in airports, hotels and rental cars. He can carry all he needs in one wheel-away case; he's a pampered, elite member of every travel loyalty program in existence; and he's close to attaining his lifetime goal of 10 million frequent flier miles—and yet... Ryan has nothing real to hold onto. When he falls for a simpatico fellow traveler, Ryan's boss inspired by a young, upstart efficiency expert threatens to permanently call him in from the road. Faced with the prospect, at once terrifying and exhilarating, of being grounded, Ryan begins to contemplate what it might actually mean to have a home.

I don’t think Up in the Air could have been better timed in its release as it fits perfectly with today’s economic recession even though the book it is based on was written in 2001. The film has a wonderful story that not only mixes in the recession but also tells a tale of one man who has spent a life of solitude finding out that he possibly missed out on more than he thought he had. The film is essentially two stories one of those stories being how his actions effect others and the second story being how his actions and solitude have effected him and it makes for a fantastic viewing experience.

George Clooney is the perfect actor for this role as he too has led a life of bachelorhood and has that charm and class that he could sell to those he is firing to try and ease them into the unknown. There is strange similarities between Clooney as the actor and Ryan Bingham who is just a character and these similarities just add to what is already a very good film and make it that much more entertaining and intriguing. All the while the film tells a story that is profound and deep and moving. During the credits the movie even has testimonials from those who have recently lost their jobs.

Despite how depressing the film could have been about a man who spends his life firing others and ruining others lives the movie actually finds comedy in the midst of all that madness. Yes the movie is dramatic and can be heart breaking at times when the layoffs actually ruin and end lives but there is also a deep rooted comedy at some of the actions of those who are let go commit. The saying goes if you can’t laugh at yourself who can you laugh at and the movie touches on this very well.

From what I have read the movie does change some of the details of the book making it more lighthearted and filled with hope. And the two characters that bring hope are played by Anna Kendrick who doesn’t believe that everything they do has to be so bad all the while trying to make it worse by doing the layoffs over video conferencing and Vera Farmiga who shows Clooney that is life has been quite empty and almost gets him to turn over a new leaf. Both parts are played wonderfully and add depth to the movie and a light heartedness that the book might have been lacking. Up in the Air is a wonderful film placed at a perfect time and another saying goes timing is everything.

Grade: B+