Ryan Bingham (i.e. George Clooney) is a traveling firer. That is, when companies want to fire employees, but don't want to face the music, they hire Bingham.. He flies in, fires the employee, and then flies out. It is a very personal and emotional job that Bingham is good at. A balance of detached professionalism and deeply personal life counselor. This connection with people he fires is about as close to a relationship that he has, as Bingham is traveling the motivational talk circuit on the side. His schtick? You are on your own and any personal belongings and or personal relationships can only weigh you down and hinder you from being who you truly want to be. Of course, the film has to develop into a story that challenges the core of Bingham's beliefs, professionally and personally. After watching this, the guy in the row behind be leans over to his companion and states "That has got to be the most depressing movie I have ever seen". I have to disagree. Bingham is truly struggling with what many people struggle: Who can I count on ... where is the meaning in my life. While he may or may not end up in the same place that you do, you have to admire that he is developing a personal philosophy, testing it out and modifying it as he gets new data. Clooney does an excellent job of displaying the juxtaposition of cynicism and care in Bingham.
4-stars (out of 5)
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