This is one of the better films I have seen in recent weeks. It was touching, it was moving, it was deceptively constructed and the narrative was breathtaking.
George Clooney revels in the role of his life in this unique and sometimes fantastic mixture of topical drama, romantic comedy and corporate satire.
The story revolves around Ryan Bingham, an executive whose job is flying round the US to do the unpleasant job of 'career transition counselling' which really means he has been hired to fire people.
Ryan is great at his job, he is professional and seemingly caring, he makes his victims feel there's no shame in getting the sack - indeed, that it may open up a whole new world of opportunities for them.
Due to the course of three separate events, he is forced to re-evaluate his predatory lifestyle. His younger sister is about to marry - a reminder that he is semi-detached from his family, if indeed there is any connection left at all.
He meets another frequent flyer, Alex, who is as slick, materialistic and keen to avoid responsibility as he is, making them perfectly suited for each other, if only they were smart enough to realise it.
They manage a casual coupling whenever their schedules permit. Ryan even finds himself wishing he could turn their casual non-relationship into something a little more serious.
As it turns out, Ryan's employer, a slimy fool, becomes intent on streamlining his business.
He takes on an eager graduate, who beleives she can do Ryan's job more efficiently by firing people over the internet.
Yet, as always, there seems to be a giant hole in the plot. Since Bateman's company is used by employers who can't handle firing their own employees face to face, why would they hire him to fire them online, which they could quite easily just do it themselves?
You might be tempted to think someone as smart as Ryan would point this out, but hey, since it's only a movie, why try and find faults in a plot!
For the most part, I really did like it, partly because of the fantastic dialogue but mostly, because it is so nutritious. What you see is what you get in this movie, and as long as you're not excepting too much, you won't be disappointed.
Clooney does a really amazing job, and gives life to his character, providing a fresh dimension of skill to his repertoire. I don't think any other actor could have brought so much charisma to the role.
The film doesn't end on a terribly predictable note yet somehow failed to really resonate well leaving the audience with a slightly strange sensation.
