| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| George Clooney | ... | Ryan Bingham | |
| Vera Farmiga | ... | Alex Goran | |
| Anna Kendrick | ... | Natalie Keener | |
| Jason Bateman | ... | Craig Gregory | |
| Amy Morton | ... | Kara Bingham | |
| Melanie Lynskey | ... | Julie Bingham | |
| J.K. Simmons | ... | Bob | |
| Sam Elliott | ... | Maynard Finch | |
| Danny McBride | ... | Jim Miller | |
| Zach Galifianakis | ... | Steve | |
| Chris Lowell | ... | Kevin | |
| Steve Eastin | ... | Samuels | |
| Marvin Young | ... | Young MC | |
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Cut Chemist | ... | Conference DJ |
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Adrienne Lamping | ... | Tammy |
Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles, and just after he's met the frequent-traveller woman of his dreams.
Up In The Air takes a strange premise that could easily feel stale or cold, especially given the perfunctory connotation that airport travel has, but succeeds as a pleasant, if forgettable, movie. Clooney is very good as a detached but thoughtful lead, and Kendrick also impressed, injecting life and uncertainty into the movie. The comedy works well and doesn't feel overdone. The way the travel scenes were cut also showed Bingham's comfort and intimate knowledge of the airport drill in a way that was fun to watch. Reitman does a good job of keeping each scene engaging and is at his best when he uses subtle social commentary. The themes of personal connection and security were amusingly turned on their head by Clooney having to teach Kendrick about maneuvering firing, as she makes the job he loves obsolete. The twist with Farmiga's character was also good and surprising, keeping the film from being a by- the- numbers rom-com. The timing and reaction to the 10 million miles was also well done. It's not a movie that's exceptional in any area and not one that will ever immediately come to mind, but it's a solid, pleasant watch with some originality.