UP IN THE AIR: I see Oscars on the horizon

UP IN THE AIR is a masterclass in how to achieve more by doing less. There's no discernable acting involved in George Clooney's performance as Ryan Bingham. He doesn't play the part,  he just is Bingham and he does it so effortlessly that it's easy to forget Clooney isn't simply being himself.
There's two reasons for that. Clooney is undoubtedly a very fine actor but, more importantly, the character of Bingham so closely resembles Clooney's own public persona that it's easy to believe he's playing himself. Bingham is a resolutely heterosexual bachelor, openly interested in no-strings attached relationships with women that are purely sexual, and vocally opposed to the idea of settling down or having children. He's a man perpetually in motion, subconsciously fearful that - like the shark he compares the human race to - he'll die if he stops moving.
Bingham is a creation of the 21st century - a corporate downsizing expert. He lives his life out of a perfectly packed carry-on suitcase criss-crossing the USA firing employees on behalf of employers who are too cowardly to do the deed themselves. In an era of downsizing and economic recession it's a rare boom industry.
The job keeps Bingham so busy that he's almost never home and he couldn't be happier. "Last year I spent 322 days on the road" he says, "which meant I spent 43 miserable days at home"; a point that's emphasised with a brief trip to his studio apartment which reveals a small, souless all white space resembling a hotel room, completely devoid of any personal touches. Home for Bingham is the first class cabin of an American Airlines jet at 33 thousand feet. His one ambition is to rack up 10 million air-miles and earn one of the airline's coveted silver cards giving him a lifetime of flying privileges.

Director Ivan Reitman explores and illustrates the consequences of Bingham's compartmentalised, emotion-free life through the no-strings-attached relationship which develops with Alex (Vera Farmiga). A successful businesswoman who is also constantly on the road, she is apparently his female equivalent. They flirt in a hotel bar by trading comments on the relative quality and service of car rental companies and compare their respective collections of customer loyalty cards before retiring to his room for sex.
Running in parallel is the reluctant relationship which develops between Bingham and Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), a hotshot young graduate hired by his employer to take their business to the next level. Her big idea to fire people remotely by videolink rather than in person, threatens Bingham's whole way of life, but he's forced to take her on the road with him to help her learn the ropes.
Without writing a four page essay it's impossible to discuss all of the themes and ideas which are so skilfully introduced in the course of the film's 1 hour 50 minute running time. Clooney is magnificent in his portrayal of this hollow man whose way of life is shaken to its core by his interaction with Alex and Natalie. Both Farmiga and Kendrick more than hold their own in the face of such formidable competition. It's the strength of their performances which make Clooney as effective as he is. 

If there's any justice (and often in Hollywood there isn't) 'm predicting Oscar nominations for Clooney as best actor, Farmiga as best supporting actress, a best director nod for Reitman, and best screenplay for Reitman and Sheldon Turner.
UP IN THE AIR is not the kind of film that blows you away while you're watching it. The impact is more subtle. This is a film that gets better and better the more you think about it afterwards - and you will.