Up in the air

In "Up in the Air" the main characters played by George Clooney and Anna Kendrick (who plays a psychologist), travel in airplane to several cities in a short time. The function of these characters in the company which they work is to dismiss people. Bosses that do not want to face their employees in this situation hire this company to dismiss them. This causes a deep suffering in employees.

The movie deals with contemporary themes, such as fear for commitment, and difficulties of human relationships. Another great theme in the movie is the dehumanization brought due to technological.

A good issue in the movie to be discussed is when the company that Ryan works changed the face to face dismissal; instead they started using of video conferencing to dismiss people; this would lower costs of travel of the company a lot. Despite the great savings that the company would have with this new tool, the changing was not efficient due to the emotional issue and great impact on people's lives that this situation causes.

It is possible to realize that company did not think about people’ reaction and feelings when they made this decision, only in profits. It is hard to see any of the characters wondering how the employees would feel about the new way of dismissal. George Clooney character dislikes the new idea; however, he was thinking about his personal interests. The movie clearly shows the scenario of nowadays. Individualism and own enrichment  

Up in the Air

Directed by Jason Reitman; written by Mr. Reitman and Sheldon Turner, based on the novel by Walter Kirn.

The movie up to the middle doesn't surprise you, even the end doesn't really surprise you. You don't expect him to have a real relationship with Alex, settle and stop flying, that would be a terrible and clichè ending. However, could you expect him to start and end in the exactly same place? Does he really change? I think that is the strong point of the movie, it makes you reflect. You go throughout the movie with Ryan, he gains your simpathy, and then comes the end. Can you not wonder about what will happen to him now?

There is a contrast from the man who says:

The one who is preaching detachment to human relations. To then you find this man:

The man who not only changed his speech but his perspective about human relations.

Ryan's actions seems to indicate that he realised what he has been missing his whole life. It's very clear in scene when he accomplish his goal: 10 000 miles.

Ryan:  Captain.

Captain: That seat taken?

Ryan: No. No.

Captain: You're the youngest yet to hit 10 mil. Don't know where you found the time.

Ryan: Yeah. I don't know.

Captain: Here you go. 7th card we've made. Small club. We really appreciate your loyalty.

Ryan: You know how many times I thought about this moment? Played out the conversation that you and I would have right here.

Captain: Really? What did you want to say?

Ryan: You know, I don't remember.

Captain: That's all right. It happens to all of us. So, where are you from?

Ryan: I'm from here.

Suddenly, his dream, his lifestyle lost his appealing which he always believed it had. He is finally ready to make a connection. However, Alex is married. Natalie (co-worker) is no longer part of the company. He is back, up in the air. Will he truly unchain himself from the life  he has built?