Away We Go - Review

Throughout AWAY WE GO, there are Godard-ian text boxes that tell the audience where the two off-beat protagonists are off to next ("AWAY TO..."). Some viewers may have noticed or simply forgotten that the title is also given this treatment. This causes the film to be self-aware of its own identity as a indie/arty road film. And, it gladly wants you to be a part of the equation and enjoy the experience.

AWAY WE GO is a very thoughtful look on the complications of future parents as they try to pick the best living environment for their child. It is also an examination on the personalities of parents that must or won't alter it for the benefit of the child. While I enjoyed it thoroughly, I was surprised later when I saw the divided opinion by professional film reviewers. The repeated problem addressed by some is that the characters of Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) are smug and a better couple over all of the other characters. This is an unfair assessment of the protagonists and truly shows that quirky indie wave started by GARDEN STATE and JUNO has caused a prejudice against the film.

The best example of showing the non-existence of smugness is in an opening scene where Verona asks if they can be defined as "f***-ups." This type of character development tends to only come up towards the end of many films, with EASY RIDER being the obvious display ("We blew it..."). As they go to the different locations for potential nesting grounds, the couple talk and criticize more about themselves than their friends and relatives. The only time where they truly go off on people is on one of Burt's old friends (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal) and her way too elaborate views of baby strollers. Yes, they are a bit smug here, but you the viewer can be classified as well if you laughed during these scenes.

Krasinski and Rudolph are very believable as a loving couple. They have chemistry and they act it very well. Instead of playing their characters like big brash comedians, which sadly many Hollywood actors do in these types of films, they rely on simplicity and subtly. The two actors show off more inner emotions than outer, thus giving off more complexity.

The entire film also is done in a subtle manner. Sam Mendes' previous films have had a more grand and/or surreal look to them. AWAY WE GO is more plain like the Colorado air in the prologue. But, it does have some great moments of cinematography; a personal favorite moment is a scene where Verona talks with her sister (Carmen Ejogo) in a bathroom store. They are both constantly walking to the right of the screen as multiple display models are moving in the background. This shot represents Verona's continuous search for the perfect home and her struggle handling with it.

Because of the plot's constant movement around North America, the other cast members are given just brief spotlights. From this pack, I seemingly enjoyed Allison Janney's part the most on a comedic level. Her rapid lines and insults are very funny and devastating to hear. Her eccentric character is helped toned down due to the excellent casting of Jim Gaffigan as her husband, who brings his special low droll humor to the mix. The surprise of this film came from Chris Messina, who plays one of their old college friends. He delivers a heartbreaking monologue about his marriage very effectively later in the film.

The film is well-structured, but there are some problems to the flow. The main one involves all of the ending segments. AWAY WE GO suffers the same errors that I felt brought down the conclusion of GROUNDHOG DAY. Instead of ending with an effective sequence between the main romantic couple, we are given additional scenes that don't really advance anything and the lines said are laughable unintentionally. It is also easily to figure where there are destined to move to and when it is shown, it doesn't match up with other things that have been said.

AWAY WE GO isn't a perfect film, but it has the right ingredients to make a dramedy and tell it well. Some of the quirkness may turn you off, but it is the layering and the writing that makes it a special treat for the year.

FINAL REVIEW: 4 / 5