Director Sam Mendes New Film Away We Go
John Krasinski from The Office and Maya Rudolph Star in New Comedy
Sep 20, 2009
Away We Go creates a talented comic duo with John Krasinski (The Office) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live). Directed by Sam Mendes (Mr. Kate Winslet), Away We Go is a sweet, funny movie that makes the audience fall in love with Krasinski and Rudolph. It also makes people think about their own situation.
Away We Go has a Moving Plot
When we first meet our main characters Burt Farlander and Verona De Tessant, played by Krasinski and Rudolph, they are in the midst of, shall we say, a personal moment. It is then the couple finds out Verona is expecting in an unusual way. The next shot Verona is six months pregnant.
When visiting Burt’s parents they find out his parents will be moving to Belgium for two years… one mother before the baby is due. This fact, and the selfish action of Burt’s parents, makes Burt and Verona realize there is nothing holding them there. So they decide to move somewhere else, but finding the right place may be hard.
Taking advantage of their portability, they decide to check out a few places where they have friends and family. They go to Phoenix, Arizona to see Verona’s sister and her old boss. They go to Madison, Wisconsin to see Burt’s cousin who isn’t his cousin. The couple also travels to Montreal to visit old friends and Miami when Burt’s brother has a crisis. Nothing seems right though.
Though they love their friends and family, Burt and Verona never feel that any of the places the visit is for them. They do eventually find that place. It’s the place they belong.
Krasinski Fights Typecasting in Away We Go
When watching Away We Go, the audience is soothed because they know the main characters. Some may know Krasinski a little too well. While popular,Rudolph doesn’t have to overcome the problem that Krasinski does. The popularity of The Office can be a double edged sword. It will draw people to see Away We Go, but they may look at the screen and see Jim Halpert.
While the voice is familiar, Krasinski hides behind a full beard. The thing is Burt, at first glance, is like Jim Halpert. He’s a mild mannered, nice guy that you like instantly. He’s even got the jokester in him that comes out in different ways. As the story unfolds, however, the audience is drawn in and Krasinski embodies Burt and Jim Halpert heads back to The Office, never to be seen again, at least not in Away We Go.
Away We Go has Talented Supporting Cast
As Burt and Verona travel around North America the audience is introduced to their friends and family. These people are crucial to moving the story along and they don’t disappoint.
Alison Janney is Verona’s crude former boss, Lily. She is obnoxious and rude and simply hilarious. There are many cringe moments that make everyone scrunch down in their seats. Jim Gaffigan is her crushed, browbeaten husband. Burt and Verona also run in to a little boy named Beckett, played by the young Pete Wiggins, who is very disturbing, yet funny.
One of the best performances in Away We Go is by Maggie Gyllenhaal. She plays the fruity ultra-liberal LN, who is Burt’s cousin, but not really. When Burt and Verona first walk in to her house she is nursing. That would not normally be a big deal but she had a nine month old baby on one breast and her four year old on the other. It would have been disturbing if her reaction wasn’t so priceless. As Burt and Verona stay at LN’s house, they see the depth of just how out of touch LN and her husband really is. Gyllenhaal plays it to perfection.
Away We Go is a fun, hilarious movie that touches the heart. Every aspect is well done from the director and actors to the soundtrack. It’s a moving journey that the audience will enjoy. They may even be better off for it.
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