Airports have always been a happy place for this writer, and that admiration extends to the 2009 comedy-drama Up in the Air. Directed by Jason Reitman and based on the book by Walter Kirn, the film stars George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizer who spends 322 days a year flying between states. He fires people for employers who prefer to outsource the task, leaving him with “43 miserable days at home”.
Plot and performance
Bingham's routine is disrupted by graduate Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), who proposes cost-saving video-call firings. She joins him on the road, forcing him to confront the future of his industry and his nomadic lifestyle. Clooney’s character is closing in on 10 million frequent flier miles, a feat achieved by fewer people than have walked on the moon. He navigates airports with precision, flexing his Concierge Key and packing security trays with conviction.
Personal connection
The writer first saw the film in their early 20s, often traveling abroad for work and relating to Bingham's transient life. They would watch it religiously on trips, calling it “the plane movie I’ll watch anytime, anywhere.” The appeal lies not just in travel but in the heart of the story. Despite his commitment issues, Bingham shows empathy when firing people, cutting through bureaucracy and reminding Keener that they are meeting people on their worst day. He argues that firing from a distance is morally wrong, a message that feels prescient in the age of AI.
Romance and reality
Bingham’s romance with a fellow frequent traveler (Vera Farmiga) initially seems like a meeting of kindred spirits. But when he surprises her at home and sees signs of a husband and children, he realizes their love was transactional. Clooney’s expression as he backs away into the snowy Chicago night is devastating.
Real-life fired employees
The film’s masterstroke is casting real people who had recently lost their jobs, instructed to speak as if to their ex-employer. Reitman pretended to be making a documentary to find them, resulting in authentic reactions interwoven with performances from actors like JK Simmons and Zach Galifianakis. These genuine voices range from anger to optimism, reminding viewers of the unbreakable human spirit. By the finale, the film is so uplifting that it might inspire a tray table to be put up.
