AWAY WE GO (Alliance, 2009) D: Sam Mendes, w/ John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph. Rating: NNNNN DVD package: NNN Rating: NNNNN
Burt and Verona hit the road looking for a better place to live. She’s pregnant, and they’re worried about the future. Life is still uncertain when the movie ends, but along the way we’re treated to a warm love story, some heartbreak, lots of comedy and a very fine, cliché-free movie.
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As Burt and Verona, John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph move, touch and play off each other like two people who’ve been in love for years. They’re completely convincing and very funny, particularly their reactions to the loons they encounter.
Wildest of the lot is Maggie Gyllenhaal as Burt’s old friend LN, a strict follower of the seahorse way of parenting whose syrupy compassion hides a New Age monster. There are more great comic performances by Catherine O’Hara and Jeff Daniels as Burt’s oblivious parents, and Allison Janney as a party girl trapped in marriage hell.
Director Sam Mendes and writers Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida deliver a lively, informative commentary.
EXTRAS Director and writers commentary, making-of doc. Widescreen. English, French, Spanish audio and subtitles.
