Essay 4 Draft (Just Intro)

Anthony Martinez

Professor Cline

Eng 102

April 22, 2012

Observation of A New Time

                Walter Kirns' novel, "Up in the Air," is a template for the film "Up in the Air," directed by Jason Reitman. Kirn establishes a tolerable first person narrative with Ryan Bingham. Bingham is a man who gets paid and travels from place to place as a career transition counselor. A career transition counselor is someone who tells someone else they have been fired or let go, then tries to help them find their next job. Kirn details Ryan Bingham as he is caught in a journey with little direction except for a few objectives; potentially being hired by Mythtech, the possible sale of a business allegory book,  and reaching one million frequent flyer miles.  As for the movie Jason Reitman makes quite a few tweaks and twist, but the core of the book is still apparent. Kirn even states, "the movie was not the book, and the book was not the movie, but they had the same genetic code" (Kirn interview). It is obvious Reitman creates Bingham to be a more likable and charismatic guy then in the book. It is easier though when George Clooney is playing the role as Bingham in the movie. Reitman's translation sweetens as  Bingham is falling in love with a women who has a similar lifestyle, but he is unsure of how to deal with the idea of actually becoming involved with someone. The variation in the plot is merely superficial in comparison to the changes that took place in American history from 2001, when the book was published, to 2009, when the movie came out. These were considerably different junctures in American history, the changes in; the political scene, the cultural perception of business or a businessman, the economic situation of the U.S., and the world events that occurred were transparent in the comparison of the book and movie.

Work Cited

Kirn, Walter. Up in the Air. New York: Anchor Books, 2001. Print.       

Up in the Air. Directed by  Jason Reitman.  Dreamworks, 2009. Film.

Kirn, Walter.  Interview by David Kestenbaum.  Interview:  Walter Kirn Discusses His New Novel, “Up in the Air.”  National Public Radio.  Morning Edition,Washington, D.C., July 30, 2001.