Away We Go

Sam Mendes is the celebrated director behind such films as “American Beauty,” “Road to Perdition,” “Jarhead,” and last years examination of marriage in 1950’s America “Revolutionary Road.” And within a year he is back with a new film that is oddly unlike any of his others “Away We Go.” That is to say he is usually best known for his visual style, which is not forgone here but certainly secondary to the story telling and the performances. The imagery that was so apparent in say “Road to Perdition” is instead subdued in “Away We Go.” This shows the versatility of the director, as he can address the direction with the style that best fits the material.

“Away We Go” is the sweet story of a couple as they are about to become parents. They criss-cross the country in search of the best place to raise their future daughter and along the way encounter all of the people in their lives who are already parents. It’s a thoughtful examination of what it means to start a family with someone you love. But more than that, it is a funny and authentic feeling film about a couple at a crossroads. As I already mentioned, if I had not known who the director of this film was I would never have guessed it was Sam Mendes. It is subtle and understated and the only time that you see a glimpse of what Mendes is capable of is when the couple is in transit, on planes or on trains. The greatness of the film lies with the story and the performances. This is an incredibly well written and thoroughly thoughtful film. It is incredibly funny at times and incredibly touching at others. The acting is perfect. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph effortlessly become this couple; there isn’t one moment in the film where you stop believing they are those people. They show tremendous acting chops, creating fully formed characters as opposed to just acting like themselves which would have been fine, instead they add to the authenticity of the film. The film is also peppered with small parts by many talented and funny actors adding a certain tone to each new city in the main couple’s journey.

“Away We Go” has a odd but honest sensibility to it, the way that “Little Miss Sunshine” had a few years ago, but this film is better because the story is incredibly focused and always sincere and in parts just as absurd. This film is about a couple at a turning point in their lives and how they choose not to fall into the traps that the world has set for them as they try to do their best for their child, which is all that they can do. This film isn’t trying to be something it’s not, and for that it is a charming and lovely way to spend ninety minutes.