Although movies can become very formulaic, nothing about Jason Reitman’s films are mechanical. His quirky and offbeat coming-of-age Juno won him the Oscar for direction. Reitman’s satirical comedy about a tobacco lobbyist, Thank You for Smoking, topped many  “best of” lists from critics a few years ago. His new film, Up in the Air, is also anything but formulaic. It touches on a subject that’s at the top of current conversations about social media’s negative aspects – a lack of personal connection among people.  

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) thinks he has the perfect job. A confirmed bachelor, Bingham spends his life flying from one town to another to handle the unpleasant task corporate CEOs dislike -- firing people. He’s proud he can tell someone face to face they’re about to experience the worst time of their lives while handing them a useless move-on-with-your-life booklet.

What he does rates as less significant to Bingham than “how” he lives his life. His pleasure zone? Airports, and Bingham explains in his voiceover -- which tells much of the story throughout the film -- that he spent 322 days in an airplane last year. It’s from hundreds of impersonal hotel rooms that Bingham begins his morning ritual -- dressing in a classy suit, packing his minimal personal items in his perfect suitcase and hitting the road with his forever pasted-on smile. Even when those he faces are reduced to tears or threaten suicide, Bingham’s eyes dart around the room while assuring them their life is just beginning.

Career Transition Counseling (CTC) sees Bingham as their poster boy -- or so he thinks. But there comes a day when Craig (Jason Bateman), his boss, introduces him to the young efficiency expert, Natalie (Anna Kendrick). Fresh out of college, Natalie believes she’s the one who will mainstream the company by being able to fire people from the CTC office on a video screen. When Craig insists that Bingham take Natalie with him to show her the ropes, he’s sure he can prove she’s wrong.

Once on the road, Bingham teaches the newbie how to be a professional traveler. But he soon realizes Natalie is even more convinced her new idea will work perfectly for CTC. As Bingham faces a disruption in his rigid work life, he’s also experiencing a personal meltdown. Bingham’s only family is a sister he barely speaks to. He’s proud he has no commitments, no home, and no “things” to clog his life. He’s even a part-time motivational speaker and pushes his book about how people should put everything in their lives in a backpack and discard the rest. All this comes before the ultra sexy Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga) enters an airport bar and sits next to Bingham.

Alex, who also wants no entanglements, begins a passionate affair with Bingham, and both of them check their calendars for what airport their paths will cross next. In between, they engage in  erotic conversations on their cell phones. Never imaging he would fall in love, Bingham begins to question his empty life and to wonder if Alex might be worth the risk.

Up in the Air is loosely based on Walter Kirn’s book of the same name. Reitman and Sheldon Turner have written a brilliant screenplay that seems to be about people losing their jobs -- but it’s really about people losing their personal connection with those around them. Superb casting enhances the story. Reitman had Clooney in mind when he wrote the script, and the affable actor -- who could smile while directing traffic at Times Square -- delivers another flawless performance. “The role was tailor made for him,” Reitman said, “and it was probably one of the most exciting moments of my life when he finished reading it and said to me, ‘Jason, it’s great.’”

Farmiga (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) lights up the screen in every scene. She and  Clooney achieve terrific sexual chemistry throughout the film. Kendrick (The Twilight Saga: New Moon) is equally refreshing in her turnabout character.

Up in the Air is a fresh, somewhat humorous and entertaining movie that’s perfect for this particular time in our lives.

 (Released by Paramount Pictures and rated “R” for language and some sexual content.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.