“Away We Go” tells the tale of what could have been a trite love story, but a trite love story it is not. The story begins with Burt Farlander (John Krasinski, TV’s “The Office”) and Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph, “Saturday Night Live”) in a very intimate situation that leads to the discovery that Verona is pregnant. Although the pregnancy was not exactly unplanned, the couple finds themselves at a loss of where to go next. After Burt’s parents announce they are moving to Europe, Burt and Verona realize they are not in close proximity to family or friends and thus go on an adventure to find the best place to raise their baby.
Along their journey, Burt and Verona travel to Phoenix, Tucson, Madison, Montreal and Miami. In Phoenix, Verona attempts to rekindle a friendship with a former colleague, Lily (Allison Janney, “Juno”). Lily, however, is far more brazen and inappropriate than Burt or Verona care to introduce to their future child.
In Tucson, John Krasinski truly exhibits his skill as an actor. Although there is still a tinge of the lovable Jim from “The Office,” Krasinski is able to make Burt unabashedly dorky. While Burt takes a work-related phone call, Verona and her sister discuss him from afar. Burt resumes his work persona, which Verona irritatingly deems his “Casey Kasem” voice. Conforming is clearly neither of the two’s specialty.
While Burt and Verona are in Tucson, the true pros and cons of the movie are revealed. Initially in the movie, Rudolph’s character is hardly likable. Even before Verona’s pregnancy shows, she exhibits the stereotypical behavior of an uncomfortable pregnant woman. She is ungrateful, inpatient and aloof with her boyfriend of many years. Conversely, Burt is considerate even when Verona is cold. For instance, when Verona distraughtly asks Burt, “Are we fuck-ups?” he is nothing but tolerant and comforting.
It is not until true tragedy strikes Burt’s family in Miami that Verona becomes the counterpart she needed to be all along. Burt’s belief system is fundamentally shaken after receiving bad news from his brother and it is Verona that soothes him and assures him everything will work out as it is supposed to. However, the viewer is still forced to question whether Verona is the right girl for Burt as she refuses the one thing he truly wants. In turn, this makes the viewer question Burt’s character for he is with someone who is frequently unkind to him.
As a whole, the storyline seemingly intends to highlight how idyllic an unconventional romance can be. The closest thing to a traditional family the two find during their journey is Lily, who unashamedly treats her husband and two children like dirt. Moreover, while the movie intends to glorify the relationship between Verona and Burt, Burt remains happily in love while Verona appears to be scraping by.
For every happy moment in the movie, there is a greater heartache awaiting. As a result, the film has a rather unsettling quality about it. For those who are happy in the movie, the viewer is led to believe the characters’ happiness is absurd, and for those who are sad, the viewer is led to believe it is rightfully so. Even the movie’s conclusion experiences the same ambivalence of simultaneous happiness and sadness.
In the end, “Away We Go” is not nearly as lighthearted as it appears to be in the film’s trailer, which is ironic seeing as the movie itself reinforces the idea that things are not always as they seem.
3 stars out of 5