Categories: Movies

“Away We Go” Movie Review

When you hear that John Krasinski (“The Office (USA)”) and Maya Rudolph (SNL) are the stars of the film Away We Go, you’re naturally going to think this is intended to be a rip-roaring comedy. Then you’ll see its directed by Sam Mendes (Oscar award winner for American Beauty) and you’ll realize that while this may have some comedy in it (and it certainly does), this isn’t going to be one of those films that we can toss off as a lark like some crappy Apatow film.

This is actually a fun, but touching story about Burt Farlander (Krasinski) and Verona De Tessant (Rudolph), a couple who are about to have a baby and find out that the Burt’s parents are moving to Europe – only one month before the baby is due. Since Verona’s parents are dead, there nothing to tie them down (she’s a medical textbook artist working from home, and he sells insurance futures {whatever that is} through is cell phone and Internet). So they decide to search for a new place (and boy, do they ever need one) to start (or is that re-start) their lives. One could say this is sort of a “road trip”/”coming of age” story for prospective parents.

The cast is filled with familiar, but not overly famous faces – mostly from TV shows – both drama and comedy – such as Allison Janney from “West Wing”, and Melanie Lynskey of “Two and a Half Men. These people were cast for their ability to act the parts chosen, rather than their star status. This is probably what makes it a far more cohesive feeling film, even though it’s told in an almost vignette style. We feel that these people are very real, and truly know and care about each other, despite some of the outrageous things they do and say.

Of course, the outrageous bits are what make this a comedy, and some of them even border on hysterical. My personal favorite is with Burt’s “cousin” Ellen, who pretentiously now calls herself “LN” (Maggie Gyllenhall). She’s an “earth-mother with a trust fund” who is particularly ungrateful when Burt buys her a stroller for her son, declaring with huge dramatics, “I LOVE my babies. Why would I want to PUSH them away from me?” Burt’s willing to accept this, along with the rest of her patronizing attitudes. That is, until LN talks about raising their child to appreciate diverse cultures, and uses the phrase “your people” to Verona, when Burt goes ballistic. To take his revenge, he grabs the stroller, and entices LN’s son to go for a ride, as all hell breaks loose.

But this is also a drama, and in some ways, a bit of a love story as well. The chemistry between Burt and Verona is beautifully handled, with enough touching moments mixed in with times of frustration and even anger to make us feel this is a couple that have a solid future together – even though Verona flatly refuses to ever marry Burt. As we follow them on their other visits to Burt’s parent’s, Verona’s sister, Verona’s ex-boss, and even a couple that they both met in college, we get to see various types of family life that, while all appealing on one level, are ultimately not right for them.

Add to that, the attention to detail and insights into human nature that are so realistic, we can imagine them happening every day. For instance in one scene the couple is trying to get on a plane. The check-in clerk looks at Verona’s stomach and asks for the note from her doctor. Of course, since Verona is only six months pregnant, she doesn’t have a note from her doctor, because you only need one after you’re in your 8th month. The woman then asks a colleague if she thinks Verona’s only 6 months gone, who in turn brings in another colleague and the debate on how far along Verona actually is, begins. Then, cut to Burt trying to cheer an obviously annoyed Verona by lauding the romanticism of train travel. It is these types of exchanges throughout the film that make you smile, sometimes laugh, but always nod in understanding.

This movie is nicely paced, if a touch on the slower side, but never boring. Plus, the music during the non-dialog parts is particularly lovely, pulling you gently through to the next scene. The laughs come when they should, as do the tears. There’s something honest and truthful about this film, with a script that brings us beyond the temporary silliness of what’s happening on screen, and says “get to know yourself, it’s worth it”, even while we are laughing at ourselves. While it’s not nearly as profound as American Beauty and will probably not be recognized by the Oscars, I think it is a film well worth watching – and not just once. A lovely addition to Mendes’ directing CV, this is one with an overall “feel good” as well as fun quality to it, that never falls prey to sentiment or stupidity. I’d say this film rates a solid 4½ stars out of five, and is highly recommended.