Away We Go

After all the hype and publicity of Revolutionary Road, Sam Mendes returns to the big screen sneaking Away We Go in under the radar. In the film we follow Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph), an unmarried couple who are shortly expecting the birth of their first child. Circumstances dictate they go on a road trip to find a new city in which to move too. In each city they meet up with friends or family and….errr….that’s pretty much it. This actually feels more like a stage play (each city is even introduced as it’s own “act” with the help of a title card), something which has been said before about Mendes’ films (though hardly surprising considering his background). There is some good acting going on in this “play” though, with a number of idiosyncratic characters introduced in each city, which provide a few laughs and have Burt and Verona scuttling off to the next city as soon as possible. However, this does raise a major problem with the film. Some of the individuals that Burt and Verona meet are pretty unlikeable, but Mendes’ message seems to be that Burt and Verona are superior to them. Why’s that then? Because they don’t live or raise their children the way Burt and Verona plan too? This smugness from the main two characters does detract from the film, which is a shame as, despite the bland structuring, there are some genuine moments of mirth and drama.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Very funny in parts, but it’s coating of self-righteousness will be a turn off for many. Rating: 6/10.