Away We Go Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Pleasant offering from Mendes

This witty life-drama begins when a couple discover they are going to be parents for the first time, and the journey they take through the film (literal and emotional) has them wondering what type of parents they will be, and where they want to raise their children. The physical jouney sees them visiting friends and family across the US, seeing how they cope (or, in some cases, fail to cope) with the struggle of parenthood. The emotional journey sees them tackling their own inner fears, or upbringing, attempting to come to terms with the new responsibility they have.

This is one of those pleasant, life-affirming movies that doesn't really build to anything, but just takes a step back to look at a key moment in someone's life. The scattering of humour is not as hip and cool as, say, Juno (a similar tale of coping with newfound responsibility), and can be compared with, say, the antics of Sideways. A mature tale, with a very likeable lead couple. John Krasinski, from the US version of The Office, shines throughout as the laid back Burt, whilst Maya Rudolph, of Saturday Night Live fame, delivers the more emotional role as Verona. A scattering of well known faces supply support, such as Jeff Daniels and Catherine O'Hara as Burt's parents, and Alison Janney as the man-eating Lily. However, the standout scene stealer of support is Maggie Gyllenhaal as the spaced out, modern hippy 'LN', an old friend of Burt's whom he shares the laid back nature with, but comes to realise not as much as he believed.

The direction and pacing of the film give us enough time to get under the skin of these brief enconters with friends and family, and show us a diverse range of parenting skills from the good to the terrible. Nice touches of lingering scenic shots let us enjoy the journey across and around the US along with the couple, and all is complemented by a delightful musical score.

This is pretty much the type of film that we have come to expect from Sam Mendes, director of such films as American Beauty, Road To Perdition, and Revolutionary Road.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Starts slow... then puts the brakes on....

Sadly, expecting great things of this Sam Mendes directed film, I was in general pretty dissapointed.

An outsider thirtysomething couple are about to embark on family life with a not entirely expected pregnancy, with parents making themselves absent in one way or another and family and friends strung far and wide throughout North America, they are facing the prospect of being more than just a bit alone in their predicament. Deciding to seek the support and closeness of a more extended family. They decide to take to the road the length and breadth of the USA and pay a visit the various sisters, brothers and friends to seek a place to settle with the new brood. Regrettably time has moved on and personalities have changed and previous bonds and ties are inevitably never what they formerly were. With excellent performances and good, though very moribund, soundtrack, this is a movie that has more than a few thoughtful moments and humour, but rather creaks along than entertains and the end comes with a feeling of relief rather than eagerness to re-watch. Definately not for all.

[Highly rated reviewer]

very good

I enjoyed this, there is humour, poetry and romance in it and the acting and characters are excellent. I especially loved the couple in Montreal, the performances in that part of the film were excellent. Likewise the unbearable couple in Phoenix and Maggie Gillenhall. All excellent, Not really riveting stuff but hugely enjoyable if you like indie. Must admit the ending without giving anything away, was a bit too easy for my taste, bit hollywood.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Starts slow... then puts the brakes on....

Sadly, expecting great things of this Sam Mendes directed film, I was in general pretty dissapointed.

An outsider thirtysomething couple are about to embark on family life with a not entirely expected pregnancy, with parents making themselves absent in one way or another and family and friends strung far and wide throughout North America, they are facing the prospect of being more than just a bit alone in their predicament. Deciding to seek the support and closeness of a more extended family. They decide to take to the road the length and breadth of the USA and pay a visit the various sisters, brothers and friends to seek a place to settle with the new brood. Regrettably time has moved on and personalities have changed and previous bonds and ties are inevitably never what they formerly were. With excellent performances and good, though very moribund, soundtrack, this is a movie that has more than a few thoughtful moments and humour, but rather creaks along than entertains and the end comes with a feeling of relief rather than eagerness to re-watch. Definately not for all.

Coming from Mendes, this film is exceptionally mediocre!

I guess it's hard to improve on what was an exceptional film 'American Beauty'. I didn't find this movie anywhere as good or as movie as 'American Beauty' but it does have it's merits.It's one of those movies where the viewer is invited along to go on a road trip with the characters.What makes this movie interesting to watch are the characters and not exactly the storyline. I particularly enjoyed Maggie G's performance of the Rich, New Age-y nut LN.I LOVED the pram scene (where Krasinkis character runs around with the pram giving LN's kid a ride...watch the film...it's really funny). I can't help thinking that Mendes was exploring the concept of what makes a couple and a family these days,

(the new age loons with completely spaced out notions of life and reality,

the over the top mom, who is completely out of touch with her husband and kids and the couple who have adopted so many kids, while masking their deep grieve on not being able to conceive etc...) none of which were very normal to me(but hey normal is overrated!) .But then I think that the film challenges that concept, and looks into what lies underneath a 'normal couple'. I loved the end: but it is an exceptionally fairy-tale like end and all too neat, which I didn't expect from Mendes. What I loved about American Beauty was the immense sensitivity that Mendes seem to go about dealing with the characters, which had such a bitter sweet effect to the outcome of the story. Nevertheless I enjoyed the movie alot more than I expected.