Away We Go

2009. Dir: Sam Mendes. Starring: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Carmen Ejogo, Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels. ●●●●○



I've fallen behind somewhat on the reviewing, but hopefully I'm going to put that right over the next couple of days by letting you in on my feelings towards 3 films I've seen over the last 6 weeks. The flipside to that is that as time has passed I have become disconnected from my initial experiences. My reviews now will be low on specifics and more about the general feel of the film - any euphoria or crushing sense of disappointment will also have been muted by the delay. Nevertheless here goes with my review of the first of the films, which was also the best of the three.

Away we Go is a simple movie to describe, essentially a road movie with a pregnant couple looking for a new home to raise their child. As they travel from city to city each chapter introduces us to a bizarre selection of family and friends who are either sympathetic or highly neurotic. For every characterization you enjoy - Melanie Lynskey's college friend - there will be at least one that will make you want to leave the cinema - Alison Janney's screaming harpy.


Whilst the story may be pretty predicatable and episodic the film works as a whole due to the power of the central performances and the beleievable nature of the screenplay. Krasinski and Rudolph always come across as flawed people who are very much in love, and we can see them through each others eyes and as such we are able to forgive their foibles in the same way that we fall in love with the rough edges of our own partners. Every detail of the relationship between our protangonists is realistic and measured.

The ending itself is a testament to the power of love between this couple. They prove to themselves that having family and friends to support when the baby is born is good, but the most important thing is to have each other, to identify and nurture the love in your own relationship.

Some of the performances are better than others, and the lack of ambition in the story telling and direction shows, muting the overall enjoyment of the piece.

On the technical side the work by Dave Eggars and Vendela Vida on the script is perfect, even the grating characters seem to have been written in such a way that you believe in their existence. Kudos also needs to be given to Location Scout Sarah Crofts, who has found unique settings and feels for each of the cities on this extraordinary road trip.

Overall I'd say this was a minor success, pleasing and enjoyable, one which Mendes can be proud to add to his back catalogue.