Review of Away We Go (2009) by Scott W — 29 Mar 2010

Away We Go With Sam Mendes.

In Hollywood you get two types of directors, an actors director and the kind who focus grossly on the visual/stylistic element. The latter make commercially viable films that do well at the box office and typically cost a lot of money to make, whilst the former spend time brewing great performances out of their cast members sacrificing box office glory for Oscar gold.

Sam Mendes is one of these filmmakers. Though of British heritage he has made his fortune across the Atlantic with films such as ?American Beauty?, ?Road To Perdition? and the 2008 release ?Revolutionary Road?. These titles share a strong similarity and that is a taut emphasis on character driven narrative.

Mendes is famous for his ability to extract, with expert precision, the suitable emotion and texture required to elicit the desired tone of each scene. This is achieved by a seamless blend of a powerful musical score, often provided by Thomas Newman, and of course great acting. If you?re lucky enough to star in a Sam Mendes picture you can rest assured that you?d only be gaining from the experience.

But even he reaches a point where enough is enough. As it seems, even a maestro can grow weary of his craft, arriving at the realization that perhaps his trust worthy methods aren?t what they used to be. Thus, when doubt wriggles its nasty visage all you can do is stare it square in the eyes and say ?there?s more to this meat sack?.

This, quite literally, is exactly what he has done with his latest release ?Away We Go?. You are forgiven if you haven?t heard of it, and even if you have you?d never expect it to be one of his. On the surface it appears to be an indie film through and through, the type you expect to star Michael Cera or Jesse Eisenberg. The breed of films that were once few and far between, but now form the basis of the American art house movement, which by the way is a formidable industry in itself.

A simple story at best it follows the journey of Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) a loving couple who haven?t quite embraced their adulthood. Now faced with the birth of their first child they embark on a road trip cross country in hopes of finding the answer to one of life?s ultimate questions: where do I belong? Along the way they meet up with family and friends who have developed their own slate of awkwardly hilarious problems defining the underbelly of modern living with all its vices, distractions and let downs.

Written by Dave Eggers (Where The Wild Things Are) and first time writer Vendela Vida, the film offers a slice of life most can relate to. Though ludicrously funny and cumbersome the film holds a melancholic undertone that each character subtly shares with you as the film progresses. This expert scripting is what caught the attention of Sam Mendes in the first place.

His decision to do the film was based on his own need to explore new territory and to work with a crew outside of his comfort zone. This change of pace has proven a success as the film benefits from his virtuoso filmmaking talent and showcases a beautiful blend of experienced performers and those rising through the ranks. Making up the body of the supporting cast are Allison Janney, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Catherin O?Hara, Jeff Daniels and Melanie Lynskey who share brief but memorable moments on screen as some of the wackiest characters to come out in ages.

It?s a no holes barred on slaught of unpretentious awkwardness that covers the vast spectrum of what you think people are thinking, feeling and wanting to say at any given moment. The type of people you wouldn?t want your grandmother to meet, and perhaps the type of people you?ve had the joy of meeting just so you?d know what not to be when you grow up. A close encounter with the misshapen misfits of society who aren?t necessarily bad people but undoubtedly afflicted by their surroundings, and perhaps even astutely depressed.

Ultimately the film fits in snug with the rest of the indie comedy dramas that deal with the real issues of life and love, and for that it?s a surefire hit. The fact that Sam Mendes directed the film is merely the ripe cherry dressing oozing with goodness and enticing audiences to come take a bite. The after taste will leave a smile on your face and a fond feeling of familiarity that stems from the very base of what makes us human, the desire to share a life with the ones we love.