Review of Away We Go (2009) by Stuart K — 10 Aug 2010
Sam Mendes wanted a change after the darkness of Revolutionary Road (2008), and so with the threat of the Screen Actor's Guild going on strike, he quickly assembled a cast and crew, and went out and shot this film.
It's not as good as it's cracked up to be, but it is a touching romance with the odd glimpse of quirky comedy shining through, and a good soundtrack. It's about Burt Farlander (John Krasinski) and Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph), a couple in their early 30's who are trying for a better life, then Verona announces she's pregnant.
When it's announced Burt's parents, Gloria and Jerry (Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels), are moving to Antwerp, Belgium for 2 years, Burt and Verona decide to up sticks and find somewhere else to raise their child.
They go from their home in Colorado to Phoenix and Tuscon, Arizona then on to Madison, Wisconsin, then Montreal, Canada, all these places have people from Verona's life in them, who they are hoping will be a role model for the child when born.
It is a very quirky film, and it makes a refreshing change for Sam Mendes, as his 4 previous films to this have been quite dark, it has a good script by David Eggers and Vendela Vida, Krasinski and Rudolph make a likeable couple, and the cast is nicely rounded out by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney and Melanie Lynskey.
This review of Away We Go (2009) was written by Stuart K on 10 Aug 2010.
Away We Go has generally received positive reviews.
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