Clooney walks the red carpet with girlfriend

US actor George Clooney and girlfriend Italian model and actress Elisabetta Canalis arrive for the screening of "Up in the Air" on October 17, 2009 at the Rome Film Festival. Up in the Air is part of the official competition. (Photo: AFP)

  • US actor George Clooney and girlfriend Italian model and actress Elisabetta Canalis arrive for the screening of &quot;Up in the Air&quot; on October 17, 2009 at the Rome Film Festival. <em>Up in the Air</em> is part of the official competition.
    US actor George Clooney and girlfriend Italian model and actress Elisabetta Canalis arrive for the screening of "Up in the Air" on October 17, 2009 at the Rome Film Festival. Up in the Air is part of the official competition.
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  • Clooney says there is a lot he can relate to in his new movie <em>Up in the Air</em>, a comic drama about a man who travels across the United States to lay off people amid the financial crisis.
    Clooney says there is a lot he can relate to in his new movie Up in the Air, a comic drama about a man who travels across the United States to lay off people amid the financial crisis.
  • Like his character, Clooney says he has worked around the clock, at times to the detriment of his friendships and family relations. And while he doesn't fire people for a living, Clooney says he had his fair share of layoffs before becoming a Hollywood star.
    Like his character, Clooney says he has worked around the clock, at times to the detriment of his friendships and family relations. And while he doesn't fire people for a living, Clooney says he had his fair share of layoffs before becoming a Hollywood star.
  • ''There are a lot of things about this guy I understand,'' Clooney said of his character, (Photo: AFP)
    ''There are a lot of things about this guy I understand,'' Clooney said of his character, (Photo: AFP)
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  • "Part of it is ? and a good portion of it is ? that you can spend a large part of your time literally up in the air, you can spend it working and missing part of your life," says Clooney. (Photo: AFP)
    "Part of it is — and a good portion of it is — that you can spend a large part of your time literally up in the air, you can spend it working and missing part of your life," says Clooney. (Photo: AFP)
  • "I spent a long time unemployed and when you are broke and unemployed, when you finally start working you don't wanna stop," Clooney said. "Sometimes when you do that you'll end up missing your family, your friends, people that you care about."(Photo: AFP)
    "I spent a long time unemployed and when you are broke and unemployed, when you finally start working you don't wanna stop," Clooney said. "Sometimes when you do that you'll end up missing your family, your friends, people that you care about."(Photo: AFP)
  • Clooney's character, corporate downsizing expert Ryan Bingham, is busier than ever as companies struggle in the financial crisis. As he travels across America, he tries to rack up a million frequent-flyer miles.(Photo: AFP)
    Clooney's character, corporate downsizing expert Ryan Bingham, is busier than ever as companies struggle in the financial crisis. As he travels across America, he tries to rack up a million frequent-flyer miles.(Photo: AFP)
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  • The movie received warm applause at a press screening at the festival, where it is running for Best-Picture award. It is director Reitman's follow-up to <i>Juno</i>, which won in Rome in 2007 and went on to become a Best Picture nominee at the Oscars.(Photo: AFP)
    The movie received warm applause at a press screening at the festival, where it is running for Best-Picture award. It is director Reitman's follow-up to Juno, which won in Rome in 2007 and went on to become a Best Picture nominee at the Oscars.(Photo: AFP)
  • Being fired is something Clooney remembers from his pre-acting days, when he said he worked various jobs, from selling insurance door-to-door to selling men suits or women's shoes.(Photo: AFP)
    Being fired is something Clooney remembers from his pre-acting days, when he said he worked various jobs, from selling insurance door-to-door to selling men suits or women's shoes.(Photo: AFP)
  • Clooney is one of Hollywood's most sought after bachelors and he walked the red carpet with Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis, his reported girlfriend. (Photo: AFP)
    Clooney is one of Hollywood's most sought after bachelors and he walked the red carpet with Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis, his reported girlfriend. (Photo: AFP)
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  • Clooney talking to reporters.&nbsp; (Photo: AFP)
    Clooney talking to reporters.  (Photo: AFP)
  • Clooney at the red carpet during the 4th Annual Rome International Film Festival.(Photo: AFP)
    Clooney at the red carpet during the 4th Annual Rome International Film Festival.(Photo: AFP)
  • Italian model and actress Elisabetta Canalis arrives for the screening of <i>Up in the Air</i> at the Rome Film Festival. (Photo: AFP)
    Italian model and actress Elisabetta Canalis arrives for the screening of Up in the Air at the Rome Film Festival. (Photo: AFP)
  • Clooney and girlfriend Italian model and actress Elisabetta Canalis arrive for the screening of <i>Up in the Air</i>. (Photo: AFP)
    Clooney and girlfriend Italian model and actress Elisabetta Canalis arrive for the screening of Up in the Air. (Photo: AFP)