Being someone who had spent quite a good number of years traveling overseas for work, I can relate to the feeling of frequently going through the airport security, the ‘good’ life of living on travel expenses clocking in mileages and points, living on a suitcase for most part of the year, not having a home called home, the at times loneliness, and etc. I too have a similar observation using suitcase as a metaphor, similar to George Clooney’s main character’s thought on a backpack. Except, mine is realer than his. Back then, my belongings at ‘home’ were constantly on a move, from one friend’s storeroom to another. It was a hassle, painfully tedious to relocate my belongings. At some point, I had to hire a mid size lorry to move my stuffs. At that time, I had this concept of how good it would be to have only one suitcase to house all that I need. In a way, I did. Inside my suitcase, there was a pair of mini-speakers, my CD player, and a few of my favorite CDs (now I would just need a phone that comes with thousands of tracks!), a few good books to read again and again (“If On a Winter’s Night a Traveler” and “Romeo and Juliet” anyone?), my swimming gears, basic clothing and necessities, a camera, a diary, and that was all I need.
I often think that it is hard to make a film out of corporate life. Because it is not as entertaining compares to the career of a cop or a doctor or a lawyer. In that sense, I think “Up In the Air” has done a pretty good job on portraying a glimpse of what corporate life is like (“I type with a purpose” is perhaps one of the best lines). The few frames of image on the process flowchart was enough to give some of us a really good laugh. Some of the technicalities of downsizing companies, in my opinion, add more depth to the drama. I wish there are more gems like these moments. But like I said, corporate life is really not that entertaining to watch. Neither is loneliness.
Running in parallel of the main storyline is the story of romance and family. The film could have been more intense in terms of the exploration of how living alone affects family and love life. Then again, “Up In The Air” is light enough to entertain, yet giving some pointers for self-reflection. I enjoy watching the acting of the three main characters. And George Clooney? Well, I have always been a fan.
To borrow a line from the movie to close this entry: What’s the point? Looking back, what’s the point with the frequent traveling, living up in the air?