The film follows Ryan Bingham (Clooney) a corporate down-sizer as he travels from city to city in a cocoon of business class perks. Ryan lives life without burdens. His philosophy is to empty your life of burdens. Possessions and relationships that lock you into place and keep you from living are things to be jettisoned from 'your backpack". But his point of view is really a shield to protect him from the emptiness of his life and his lack of emotional connections. Everything changes when he meets two women. Alex Goran (Farminga) a kindred soul and road warrior just like himself and Natalie (Kendrick) an ambitious new -hire that has a cost cutting plan that threatens Ryan's very existence.
The film has a timeliness and freshness that is amazing. It has wit and charm as well as grace and humility. It reminded me of Billy Wilder's The Apartment, another film that gave a searing look at the corporate world in the guise of a romantic comedy. The movie is tailor made for Clooney and his character seems infused with Clooney's own personality. The movie takes a searing look at modern day life, but does not offer up any easy answers.
At the Movie House rating **** stars.
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