Different kind of movie.....the actors did a great job, very well casted! Not sure about all the award talk, but i did enjoy the movie.

Director Jason Reitman is really beginning to make a name for himself. Up in the Air is his third recent film behind Thank You For Smoking and Juno, both of which were surprise hits and personal favorites of mine. This film is a quirky study of life that centers around a disconnected, isolationist who is a "corporate downsizer" which basically means he fires people for a living. His high life of traveling is capsized by the emergence of a young, ambitious college grad (played wonderfully by Anna Kendrick) who seeks to revolutionize the industry through the use of technology. George Clooney is at the top of his game as smooth-talking, witty Ryan Bingham. He's suave, charismatic, and nails his performance as the man who exudes confidence although inside he really has nothing at all. Anna Kendrick, definitely in a break-through role outside of the Twilight shadows, delivers one of the best performances. She attacks her characters rugged determinating ambitions as if it were her own career she was looking to advance forward in. The beautiful and underrated Vera Farmiga is excellent as Clooney's traveling love interest. Their chemistry is authentic as it is mysterious. These three tackle their performances with such tenacity that you never know who's controlling the screen. Reitman's witty, fast-paced dialog is a wonder to listen to. The story is intelligent and complex, and it really delves into the hardened layers of the human emotion. The story is a roller coaster of emotion, waning through intense moments of happiness, to gut-wrenching heartbreak, and disenchanted sadness. It begs the question: what makes us happy? What is happiness? This is not a spoiler, but the film concludes with an aura of ambiguity... nothing really turns out the way you expect it, but everyone still appears to be happy. Up in the Air is a very well done, thought-provoking film. Kudos to Jason Reitman for another fine movie. It should also be noted that the rising comedian Zack Galifianakis from The Hangover has a very minor role here, but is a quick source of laughs.