MovieChat Forums > Up in the Air (2009) Discussion > I felt bad for Ryan (Possible Spoiler)

I felt bad for Ryan (Possible Spoiler)

posted 10 years ago by poetess627
6 replies | jump to latest

When he realized that Alex had an entire life which he was unaware of, all I could think of was his shock. I know what it's like to have spent time with someone, like at something significant as his sister's wedding and you replay it in your head like 'What the hell were you even doing there if you didn't take it as seriously as I did?' There's no way to describe that hurt and disappointment. I really felt for him.

Morrie's wigs don't come off! Until Jimmy Conway puts you in a headlock.

[–] lizcarlo87 10 years ago

I felt bad for his character as well. He really liked her and wanted something more. He thought she was single. It turns out she had family. His look was heartbreaking.

[–] savagesteve13 10 years ago

He came to his senses though, and realized the life he led was for him after all.

[–] InsecureNeuroticControlFreak 10 years ago

I don't think I agree that he came to his senses and realized that the life he was living was right for him... At all.

At the end, he didn't seen at all happy about reaching his ten million miles, nor did he seem at all happy about being able to go back to being up in the air.

He realized at the end that his entire existence had been completely empty and meaningless, and he thought that his connection with Alex could change that, only to realize that she saw him as merely a fling... A "parenthesis."

I'd like to think that, at the end, Ryan got on that plane, going to wherever he chose, hoping to settle down and start an actual adult life that isn't simply an empty vessel of flying, firing, and empty hook-ups.

Troll the respawn, Jeremy.

[–] PopperTheKungFu-Dragon 9 years ago

I don't think I agree that he came to his senses and realized that the life he was living was right for him... At all.

At the end, he didn't seen at all happy about reaching his ten million miles, nor did he seem at all happy about being able to go back to being up in the air.

This.

Very good. But brick not hit back!

[–] andrewpi7 9 years ago

I agree that Ryan wanted to change some things in his life given we see him walk out on his own lecture about the empty backup.

However, at the end of the movie he also clearly says he will be that light on the wing flying over houses with families implying he's still constantly flying. If he gave up his job and constant flying he wouldn't have said that. I don't see the appeal of spending so much of one's life sitting in a plane & an airport, but apparently he likes it enough. Nothing earlier implies he quits his job or lectures either. Earlier when we saw him firing people, he does give at least 1 guy he fires hope.

[–] halbian 9 years ago

What I loved about Ryan is that throughout the movie he never felt unhappy. I think he enjoys what he is doing and it doesn't feel empty to him at all.