Call me George Clooney! movie review

I must admit to you that George Clooney is one of my favorites. There’s something so charming, elegant and cheeky about him that makes me enjoy him on screen. To make my crush worse, in real life he is supposed to be a huge practical prankster that lives life to the fullest. Now that I got that off my chest, time for my movie review. You have to go and see his new movie, Up in the Air. If you loved the rawness and sarcasm of Juno and the realness of the characters then run, don’t walk, to the movie theater.

George Clooney plays the character Ryan Bingham who is in love with his job. Ironically his joy for his job is at other peoples expenses. His company is hired by other companies to fly around the country and fire their employees. Ryan seems to have a narcissist peace by not being tied down, living out of a suitcase and racking up frequent flier miles.

Before flying out to an assignment, I enjoyed watching Ryan pack his suitcase with army like precision. And his reasoning for choosing which people to stand behind in the security check point is hilarious. When his protégé Natalie joins him on the road to learn his job, he shakes his head at her choice of pulley suitcase. One of my favorite scenes is when Ryan takes Natalie to the closest airport suitcase store and encourages her to repack in a new suitcase. Frustrated, he throws out her neck pillow and bed pillow.

And just like in Juno there are hidden meanings to the movie about our economy and relationships. As you watch Ryan fire people you are reminded that they have mortgages, families, responsibilities and feelings. And then I wondered how Ryan can do this…for a living? As you get to know his character more, we discover his life is in the air, with no real ties to earth.

I enjoyed the twists and turns of this movie. The moviegoer feels connected to the characters and can relate the story to their own lives. Plus I felt inspiration to call my loved ones and appreciative of my job. Most people are going to see a little movie called Avatar, but try and see this little gem of a movie Up in the Air. Oh and George…I’m here anytime to discuss your work. Call me?