~What's In Your Backpack?~ Up in the air. Review on Up in the Air Movie

What does it mean if you are fired from your job? What are the sensitivities associated with the “forced separation process?” How well can you ensure sanity in the process? There are many intriguing queries associated with the process of separation of human resources. As we know, the only resource with life needs to be inducted and separated with utmost care. What if the employers are not having the expertise to manage the “firing process”? Yes, we know the buzz word – “Outsource”. There are a profession that believes in the philosophy “Every calamity is an opportunity to make money”. At times, we term them as “Consultants”. The promising director Jason Raitman (Who always came up with quality movies like Thank You for Smoking & Juno) did it again! But this time, he choose a topic of contemporary relevance – “Separation at the times of recession”

We have Ryan Bingham (Celebrated Actor George Clooney, whom I worship for his principles, fine performance and handsome features) is the corporate terminator / downsizer. According to his own words “If the management is not having ba—s to fire people, they engage my service”. I fondly remember those days when I was working with a manufacturing unit and we introduced Voluntary Retirement Scheme (which often became Compulsory Retirement Scheme) and I was identified as the pioneer to handle the process. On an average, I was given the task to terminate five employees. Soon, I gained the title of “Terminator”. One of the trade union leaders barged into my cabin and said “I have an idea for you. Buy some potassium cyanide and mix them in the water tank. In a day’s time, you will get rid of many and you don’t have to strain like this”.

This is a process that involves lots of sensitivity. You don’t know how the person on the other side reacts to this situation. Also, when a consultant who is an unfamiliar face is handling this task, he will be boarded with questions like “Who the hell are you?” Again, every profession is associated with unique hazards and even this job is not immune to the same.

Ryan is a middle aged, unmarried, workaholic person who alienated himself from family and all those things which demands a commitment. He whittled a niche in the profession “Career transition counselor” “motivation speaker” and enjoys being in the “air” rather than spending miserable days at home. His personal target is to complete “10 million frequent flyer miles”. He enjoys everything related to travel – “the recycled air, the artificial lighting, the digital juice dispensers, the cheap sushi’ and this makes him feel at home.

But again – “cost factor” became the villain. The young and vibrant Natalie (Anna Kendrick, Twilight series fame) joins his organization and convinces the big boss regarding the benefits to scrap travel of employees and managing the “process of firing” through “Video Conferencing”. Ryan was not comfortable with this primarily because of his conviction that this will erode the “human touch” (what ever it means) in the process and again he was habituated to remain in the air for long. Big boss, was driven by cost factor and asked Natalie to accompany Ryan for his scheduled tour of firing.

In the mean time, Ryan get acquainted with another frequent flyer Alex (Vera Farmiga). Their casual relation undergo metamorphic or rather cataclysmic changes. Natalie broke off with her boy friend after receiving text sms regarding break up (just like firing employees through video conferencing), Ryan gets back to him family in connection with his sister’s wedding ---- during all these process, the character of Ryan was facing with new challenges that has got a deep impact on his career to personal life.

I strongly recommend this movie to the movie lovers of all sorts primarily because of the following reasons.

Contemporary relevance The theme got contemporary relevance. Some of us might have been at one side of the “separation process” or at least we heard a lot about it. The movie present the reality in a humorous but poignant manner. Also, delicate act of balancing all sides – those who are fired, the challenges of corporate, the consultant who handles the same is being achieved. Also, the human side of recession is being beautifully portrayed – whether it be the couple who don’t have money to go across the globe

Human Behaviour is being analyzed with fine precision. The priorities and rock solid beliefs you nurture for long, the life style you always loved, the way in which priorities are being changed and how you will cop up with the same. At times, your profession will have an ever lasting impact on your over all personality. Also, you will start setting personal goals that suit your profession. But again, life will come up with more surprises that will bring you close to your real self. Ryan was a good basket ball player and he was totally different in younger days. But while growing old, his preferences change. Later, he became a recluse in his own way. He loved crowd but he do not prefer commitment.

Cast It is a delight to watch George Clooney. If academy panel think out of the box to reward someone whose role does not call for eccentric behavior, emotional upsurge or depiction of real life character (yes, I am referring to Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela in Invictus and Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart), Clooney might be rewarded with an Academy Award for this fine performance. But again, being one of the well known pro left celebrity, chances are always down.

Anna Kendrick matured enough to handle roles other than Twilight craps. I rate her better than Vera Farmiga (nominated for Academy award for best supporting cast – Why?)

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