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Krasinski, Rudolph tell common story in ‘Away We Go’
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Rudolph (left) and Krasinski at the premiere. (AP/StarPix)
It feels almost condescending to describe independent films as “quiet” and “little,” because the competition just doesn’t seem fair. In a market where bigger is better, low-brow is key, and blowing things up means box office hits, there’s little room for unassuming films with low budgets, interesting characters and deeper meaning. Films that are like the Little Engine That Could are rarely highlighted or exalted, unless they’re well-received at one of the major film festivals. Special festival awards and prizes then become a selling point for distributors and marketers, which lends credence to a movie’s worth.
No, there aren’t bombs or high-speed chases in “Away We Go.” There aren’t any cutesy cartoon characters, who warm the heart and make you smile. They’re simply real people, dissatisfied with how they’ve matured, who find themselves embarking on parenthood and doing some soul-searching.
It’s a simple concept. A quiet, little concept, if you will. And that’s what makes it unique. It doesn’t struggle to be more than it is. It doesn’t promise to excite or thrill. It just tells a story of a regular couple, preparing for the ordinary – a child – and doing what millions of couples have done since the beginning of time.
But in exploring the lives of Burt and Verona, played by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, deeper elements of family, friends and love are discovered. They’ve dated for at least ten years, but have never married. In an unusual twist of Hollywood romance, Burt is the one who wants marriage, while Verona wishes to avoid it like the plague. On the surface, it appears Verona doesn’t value marriage for what it stands for, but it’s later explained that her feelings go so much further than that.
After Burt’s parents announce that they’re leaving the country to fulfill their lifelong retirement dreams, Burt and Verona find themselves at a loss. They moved to the small town from Chicago for Burt’s parents, and they’re not all that thrilled to stay there anymore. Verona is an artist, Burt sells insurance by phone, and they have the flexibility to simply go. So they do.
They pack up and travel to a handful of North American locations, including Phoenix, Tucson, Madison, Montreal and Miami. With each unique city, they meet a new person or group of people, and are exposed to a different way of living. Some are unappealing, and some seem perfect at first. It’s only once Burt and Verona delve into the private lives of their friends and family living there that they realize they haven’t found home quite yet. Or have they?
With a quirky supporting cast, featuring Catherine O’Hara, Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Chris Messina and Melanie Lynskey, the story was fleshed out with a healthy mixture of kooky comedy and realistic drama. In an industry where originality is nice, but marketability is key, “Away We Go” scored major points for telling a basic story, with solid actors and a lot of heart. Director Sam Mendes shot the film beautifully, and along with writers Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, he provided a broad scope and intimate look at the main characters.
Hopefully that brand of storytelling will continue to flourish, as more studios try to make great films for a smaller buck. Either way, Krasinski and Rudolph both proved that they have what it takes to play both sides of the genre spectrum. It will be nice to see what other dramas they each take on next.
Author’s Note: Check out fellow Film Examiner Joseph J. Airdo’s very different take on "Away We Go" here.
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