Did you ever fantasize about packing up your belongings and moving to a new city? “Away We Go,” a poignant portrait of American life, makes the dream a reality with a unique sense of romanticism and humor.
Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes (“American Beauty”) delivers again with this touching, off-beat dramatic comedy about finding the perfect place to live and raise a family.
“Away We Go” follows the lives of a thirty-something-year-old couple, as they travel to different cities meeting with siblings, old friends, and past co-workers in search of an ideal city to raise their coming baby.
John Krasinski, of NBC’s “The Office,” stars as Burt — an optimistic soft-spoken goofball, who wants to learn how to carve wood and make knots. SNL-alumni Maya Rudolph portrays Verona, six-months pregnant with bursts of self-deprecation.
Rounding out the cast are screen veterans Jeff Daniels, Catherine O’Hara, Allison Janney and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
The movie begins with Burt and Verona living in their small, shack-like home, complete with abandoned cars on the front lawn and a cardboard window.
The couple visit Burt’s parents (Daniels and O’Hara), and learn that they are moving to Antwerp, Belgium one month before the baby is due.
Realizing there is nothing keeping them in their situation; Burt and Verona decide to search for a new place to live, visiting different relatives and people from their respective pasts.
During their journey, the pair learn what it takes to create a happy family and how to (or how not to) raise a child.
The audience goes along for the ride, sharing in the couple’s amazement, frustration and their apprehension. With each new adventure, the couple is introduced to different attitudes and philosophies.
The two characters are surrounded by pessimism and negativity concerning the world, love and children, and finally they are forced to face their fear of uncertainty.
This blatantly realistic slice-of-life creates sympathy and concern for the characters with a touch of melancholy. Both Krasinski and Rudolph give solid performances, mixing humor with raw emotion. This film is a sure bet for any fan of the off-beat comedy.
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