Away We Go

Away We Go isn't your typical funny movie. One might initially think this would be another closet comedy film with its eclectic cast and notably funny comedic actors, but Sam Mendes makes sure that this film has its share of serious moments to balance it all out. This film is deceiving. The first half of the film is filled with light-hearted moments that at times makes you cry from laughing so much. But then right when you've had a full share and are anticipating the next round, the film takes on a more serious note and it's at this point I realize, this film isn't meant to solely be a comedy, but actually something a bit more deep. There's layers to this film, though by the end of it, it doesn't feel like they were thoroughly explored.

The premise of this film is the couple Burt and Verona are looking for their perfect place to raise their unborn child. After Burt's selfish parents decide they'd rather travel overseas for two years starting a month before the baby's due, the protagonists go traveling around, visiting friends and family to find an ideal spot to call a home. Each place they travel to, the come across a unique family dynamic. In the southwest US, Alison Janney is hilarious as the crazy mother with two teenage kids who she ridicules to no end, convinced that they don't even hear half the stuff she says. The couple travels up to the midwest to visit a pretentious family friend, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal who lives a very unique lifestyle with her husband and two little boys involving seahorses and anti-strollers. The film takes a serious turn when traveling up to Montreal to visit some college friends who love their adopted children, live a stable life, but cannot have children of their own. The couple then make their way down south to Miami after an emergency call from Burt's brother. Burt and Verona experience a relationship that has fallen apart and are crushed to think what may become of Burt's niece.

The two main characters are obviously completely in love with one another, though are not married. Verona, through reasons that are only touched upon, refuses to marry Burt, but knows that he's the one for her. Burt is completely smitten by Verona and is incredibly excited for the child they are about to have. Maya Rudolph does a brilliant job as Verona and plays the character very mellow, a complete change (and a pleasant change) from her eccentric characters from SNL. John Krazinski does a great job as Burt, though I found a couple traces of "Jim" from The Office, though this character shows so much more never ending devotion towards his girlfriend. This character is the guy who's so excited to have a kid, he practically knows more about the process than the one who's actually pregnancy. These two characters are there for each other throughout the entire film and even make fun at the fact that they don't really fight, (and this ends up being a nice running gag throughout the film).

In the end this is a film about finding a place to call home and what is the definition of a home. This mellow film does a great job touching upon the eccentricities found in life. It shares that life doesn't have to be cookie-cutter, picture perfect in order for there to be love and happiness and instead focuses on making sure to surround yourself with what will make you content in life. Catch this light film if you can. Just don't expect a pure comedy film, this film has a bit more depth than that.