Away We Go: Review

Burt and Verona are a couple in their thirties who are expecting their first child. The shocking news that Burt's parents are leaving a month before the birth to fulfill their dreams of living in Belgium sends the two on a journey across America to find the perfect place for their child to be brought up. Choosing areas where their families, friends and ex work colleagues live, they soon discover that they are the only normal people around, even if Verona refuses to get married.

This is your typical Independent movie from the states. A quirky tale with oddball characters in the least glamourous parts of America. Yet, this is the work of British director Sam Mendes, and a complete turn around to his previous movies: American Beauty, Road To Perdition and Revolutionary Road. If you were to compare his other films, then Beauty is the closest, but a long way off.

Scattered throughout the film are a host of talented actors getting the chance to make their marks in small yet interesting roles. Allison Janney is hilarious as the over-the-top ex boss of Verona, the kind of person who you would hide from if she entered the room. Maggie Gyllenhaal almost steals the film as a hippy chick, a mother who believes in breast feeding and not using a stroller for her children. 'Why would I push them away?'

However, this film belongs to the two leads. John Krasinski, more known for his part in the American version of The Office, and Maya Rudolph, an ex Saturday Night Live performer, and yet unknown in the UK. The pair are an absolute delight. You could quite easily fall in love with these two, as you watch them seeing, for the first time, the oddities of the people they thought they knew. They are the backbone and they handle their part beautifully.

This isn't for everyone. It might be too quirky for mainstream audiences, and the mix bag of people who were in the screening I attended, you could tell they were not who this film was aimed at. It's a small scale road movie that doesn't make you roar with laughter, yet will give you a smile on your face, and unless you really love Independent films about characters, then you should stay away. If you love good performances and something a little strange, then run to this little gem.