“Up in the Air”: A Lighthearted Look @ Layoffs

January 11, 2010 Comments »

Losing 7 million jobs over the past two years is nothing to laugh about. Yet “Up in the Air’s” tongue and cheek approach to telling the story of corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who flies around the country firing people for a living during is funny, refreshing, and cathartic.

It may be cliché, but laughter really is the best medicine.

Like many of my friends, I was laid off last year, and almost every week I’d hear a story about someone else who’d lost his or her job. Add to that the daily news reports spouting even more pessimism about any signs of recovery.

That’s why Jason Reitman’s lighthearted yet poignant take on the tsunami of layoffs this country has seen was, pardon the pun, like a breath of fresh air.

I loved some of the film’s ironic twists.  Bingham spends the rest of his time of the road as a motivational speaker.  Oh and the company he works for decides to cut costs by having its employees fire people virtually rather than in person.

The writing is nothing short of brilliant.  Lines like “I just don’t want to settle. I was supposed to drive a Grand Cherokee by now” deserve to share the spotlight with the likes of “Life is like a box of chocolates.”

It takes an independent director to blend the real life aspects of well, real life—even at its most difficult moments—with satire and sarcasm in a way that is wonderfully enjoyable.  I haven’t seen “Avatar” but I can safely say this is my Oscar pick for Best Picture.

The 5 Points Theatre will be showing “Up In The Air” from January 15 to January 21.