Jason Reitman demonstrates his film-making talent is way up and beyond with this film that tells the story of a modern man whose life gets better in times of recession and his only goal is to get more and more miles.
The protagonist, (played superbly by Clooney) says in the end on a fight - I am from here. These words could equally apply to Reitman since he has dabbled in relatively small flicks that have had big, big impact.
It's the story of Ryan who thrives in the fast-paced life, having casual relationships and deliberately staying away from his family - his sisters. When this life gets a block in terms of a new recruit joining-in who is backed by the big boss to initiate firing through Internet, his existence takes on a new meaning courtesy the situations he gets into.
The story smartly puts Ryan and his opponent, Natalie together under the orders of his boss to show the 'ropes' of the real firing world. What happens is a special bonding being created over the trips between the two; the eager, confident Natalie sees the brutal reality of the world, and Ryan who lives in isolation is forced to deal with a young girl who believes in love and family and...speaks her mind.
During the trip Ryan builds a stronger relationship with his casual friend Alex, which is build-up strongly as something very positive. This relationship is the hinge through which Ryan's door of love starts to open. All thanks to Natalie who detests his way of living and tells him so. It's his relationship with Natalie, where he becomes a sort of a mentor that starts to change him.
This change - getting more humane is reflected eventually in his relationship with his sisters and in his desire for companionship, him falling in love with Alex. The film is like a love story, a family story, a mentor story and more.
At the background are the firing of all sorts of people. The opening and closing image of the film are of them and so are many scenes where Ryan and Natalie go about firing people.
The story is about the irony of life. As Ryan, who also specializes as a speaker, a coach, tells his sister - I tell people to avoid commitment.
The film is about loneliness, reflected in different sorts of people. It is about the lonely times of recession where you are left on your own to fend for your survival. It's about relationships - how they help you round yourself. Everyone needs to be somewhere rather than being up in the air all by oneself.
The narrative focuses on the story of Ryan but the feel - a light-hearted one adds to the quality of the journey that you take; one couldn't have asked for a better companion than the suave Clooney - the uptight dude who loves to belong in the high-profile environment all the time and Natalie, the young, lovable kid, who couldn't care much for any of that.
It's a fantastic relationship that not only lets you enjoy their trip but also since they both are humane in their own way their interaction makes comments effectively on the current times. There are also beautifully photographed scenes with great music that add to the environment.
Ryan-Alex relationship is one of the most charming ones you can see on screen. These two people who are driven by materialistic need build up a unique bond, which ends up not being what it was meant to be. As such leaving Ryan a changed man with no rewards except for returning to his family.
The film is great - a comment on how critical it is, in the times when people like to be up in the air, to be grounded.
Rating ****
[Max Rating ***]
[Viewed on Mac in Feb, 2010 at Chembur]
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