Up in the Air marks Jason Reitman's third effort as a director and its further proof that this guy is the real deal. In this timeless (and timely) film, George Clooney plays corporate downsizing expert Ryan Bingham. Bingham spends most of his time flying from one state to the next, firing individuals for companies who don't have the balls to do the nasty deed themselves.

He leads a solitary life to be sure, but that's just the way he likes it. Living out of a suitcase suits him just fine. Long term relationships and the thought of having kids doesn't appeal to him. What does appeal to him is his long term goal of reaching ten million frequent flier miles. Bingham's seemingly perfect life is complicated when he's teamed with young Natalie Keener (played by Twilight's Anna Kendrick), a business minded hotshot who believes she has a better system for corporate downsizing. Complicating his life even further is kindred spirit Alex Goran (played brilliantly by Vera Farmiga), a woman he meets during his travels.

Up in the Air really fooled me. It opens as a light and airy observation piece peppered with serious moments, but the final act packs an emotional wallop I wasn't entirely prepared for. While there's quite a bit of turbulence during the end of the flight, there's nothing particularly cynical or gimmicky about it. If anything, Up in the Air takes the honest way out. And as bittersweet as it may be, its all the more poignant for it. Clooney has never been better in a role that requires him to play with our perception of who he is as a person. His chemistry with an equally effective Farmiga is pure dynamite. Anna Kendrick is also terrific. Her Natalie is quite the annoyance in the early goings on, but by the halfway mark, I found myself really warming up to her.

Up in the Air also benefits from a stellar roster of supporting players including Zach Galifianakis, J.K. Simmons, Jason Bateman, Danny McBride, and Sam Elliot. Up in the Air appears to be quite basic at the surface level. But with its simplistic story of making connections and its tale of a character who only thinks he knows what he wants, the film proves to be much deeper at heart. A light and breezy tone, terrific dialogue,sparkling performances, and a sucker punch of a final act make Up in the Air one of the best films of the year.