Away We Go
Away We Go, directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, is a compelling film that captures the many definitions of a family norm and the power of love. Even though the main characters Burt Farlander and Verona De Tessant are deeply in love, Verona refuses to get married for an unusual but good reason. The couple is expecting their first child and has no idea how they will manage to raise a family. Being forced to find a place to live after Burt's parents reveal that they are moving to Belgium before the baby is born, Burt and Verona travel around the country visiting friends and family desperate to settle down in a location that feels like home.
Like picking names out of a hat, Burt and Verona set off on their journey, first stop: Phoenix. There, they drop in on Verona's crazy former boss Lily and her crazy family. If you can think of a perfect mother, then the opposite of this mother is Lily. Lily's potty mouth and conspiracy-theorist, pessimistic husband are self-involved and treat their children as though they are automatons. It is impossible to hold back laughter during this scene.
Coming to the instant conclusion that Phoenix is not for them, the two set off for Tuscan, Ariz. to stay with Verona's little sister. This pit stop shows a little bit of Verona's childhood memories and displays the close connection she has with her sister. Moving onward, the couple decides to go to Madison, Wis. to see Burt's childhood friend Ellen, who refers to herself as LN, and her partner Roderick. Everything is awkward from the start. Upon their visit, the two walk in on LN breastfeeding her two children, even though one of the children is old enough to speak complete sentences. Shameless LN and Roderick are bohemian parents who go by the "no sugar, no separation, no strollers" parenting method, which obviously freaks Burt and Verona out. Quick to get out of Madison, Burt and Verona go to Montreal to visit college friends Tom and Munch who have adopted kids from different racial backgrounds, which Burt and Verona absolutely admirer. Soon after, Burt receives an emergency call from his brother in Miami with news about his wife leaving him and their child. After traveling to all of these places, Burt and Verona seem to have gone nowhere in their hopes of finding their perfect home.
"Saturday Night Live" comedian Maya Rudolph shows-off her acting range with an applauding role as a more serious character that is humble and emotional, as well as John Krasinski acting in the hit TV show "The Office." In the movie, he plays an impressive role as an inexperienced, youthful soul who will love Verona no matter what. Their characters fit and form a believable, every day couple who are searching to find themselves.
Although I was dragged to see this movie with my sister (I wanted to go see "The Hangover" instead), I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the film. Although the movie made me laugh until I cried, there is a profound message of family value. Mendes did a brilliant job in integrating this serious message into the film while throwing in comic relief. In the end, Burt and Verona finally discover their home in an unexpected place.
Bravo!