Up in the Air (2009)

Drama (with just a hint of romantic comedy) about a man (George Clooney) who travels the USA to fire people. Despite the upsetting nature of his work, he loves his life of transience and deliberately avoids attachments. That all changes when he meets Alex (Vera Farmiga) and, despite everything, falls in love with her. Will he get in touch with his sensitive side and finally settle down?

There are two parallel plots: he begins to re-engage with his estranged family owing to an unexpected role at his sister’s wedding. And he is accompanied on his travels by his colleague Natalie (Anna Kendrick), who aims to implement a video-conferencing facility that will remove the need for him to sack people face to face, therefore threatening his untethered travelling existence.

Without wishing to spoil the ending, it doesn’t pan out the way you might expect.

It’s a witty and intelligent script and the bland, faceless, corporate aspects are so well observed that you begin to understand their seductive appeal.

Clooney is perfect in the part of the endlessly charming but rootless HR “terminator” getting to know his emotions.