“..you have to be willing to make the family out of whatever you have.”

Verona (Maya Rudolph) and Burt (John Krasinski) are unmarried couple who are expecting a baby. Both are struggling with their jobs in their early thirties and live where they live because it’s near Burt’s parents house. After they find out that Burt’s parents are leaving the country to stay 2 years in Belgium, both try to find possible city for them to stay. Each city lead them to different couples related to them starting with their own family. Each of them have different personalities and ways to live their lives that makes Verona and Burt know more about what they want.

Directed by Sam Mendes and written by real life husband and wife team Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, Away We Go felt like a laid back couples movie, real and sweet. Maya Rudolph was naturally good with her performance as a mother-to-be, but not many changes on John Krasinski to me, though I like their portrayal of a thoughtful but easy going couple.
First city they visited was Phoenix, which lead them to meet Verona’s ex-boss, Lily (Allison Janney), her husband, Lowell (Jim Gaffigan), and their two children. Allison Janney was funny and sarcastic, pretty honest with her opinions. I thought she’s one of the strongest performance from all. Verona and Burt then meet Verona’s sister, Grace as Verona try to make Grace convince with her latest boyfriend through Burt. Particular great scene in the movie is when they both meet Burt’s childhood friend and cousin, LN (Maggie Gylenhaal) who seem to have a ‘different’ method on raising children. Gylenhaal was pretty whole with her performance as proud ‘exclusive’ parent.

Unlike many couples in a movie who seem to have dramatic scenes, Verona and Burt’s relationship is uncomplicated and secure. Both is the kind of people who simply walk their own way and wouldn’t annoy you unless you annoy them first. Their the example of a simple couple trying to make a family. But obviously the charge is held by Verona, who didn’t want to get married even when Burt asked him to. It’s the type of nowadays couple, who didn’t need an institution to declare their commitment.

It’s pretty funny and honest, in terms about being in a couple and starting a family. The problem to me was the climax that seemed not crucial enough to butter up its scenes. Was it because of John Krasinski lack of emotion, or perhaps it was meant to be that way, I’m not sure. There were hardly enough problems to make it exciting or confuse us, because Verona and Burt is a couple that has matured and comforted each other. But maybe this is that movie who portray simply a couple on search for a home they want their family to be. In a way, it told us that every couple is different and not any of them is perfect.

Movie Score :

You might be interested :

1. 3 Idiots (2009) : not Idiot at all
2. Dear Galileo (2009)
3. Best Of Times (2009)
4. An Education (2009) : Lessons for Girls
5. YES MAN (2009) : Saying Yes to Life