100 Movie Days: Day 25 - Away We Go (2009)

Two of the funniest people of this generation, John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph come together to tell the story of two soon-to-be parents in their thirties struggling to make ends meet and trying to find a place to call home. 

Away We Go is a journey for Burt and six months pregnant Verona when find out that Burt's parents (Jeff Daniels and Catherine O'Hara) are moving to Belgium for two years right before the baby is due. Not sure what to do now, the young couple decide to visit other couples and families to find the best place to make their home. They meet up with the dysfunctional and offensive Lily (Allison Janney) and Lowell (Jim Gaffigan) in Phoenix, Verona's sister Grace (Carmen Ejogo) in Tuscon, Burt's "cousin" LN (Maggie Gyllenhaal) in Madison, old college friends Tom (Chris Messina) and Munch (Melanie Lynskey) in Montreal, and Burt's brother Courtney (Paul Schneider) in Miami. Each of these couples are parents despite flaws or personal problems. It isn't Burt and Verona's responsibility to fix these flaws. All they need to do is love each other and promise to be the best parents they can be to their little baby girl. After an amazing dialogue on a backyard trampoline Burt and Verona decide to go.....Home.

Until the visit to Madison, the pace of the film was slow and it was somewhat painful to watch. Once they visit LN's house though, the comedy starts to balance the drama and and the movie picks up. I enjoyed that they made Montreal to be one of the best destinations, albeit mainly due to the family they were visiting, but I was disappointed they didn't feature poutine like they alluded to. The soundtrack heavily features Alexi Murdoch whose song Orange Sky has played over many a sentimental moment in film and television.

The two main characters are just a tad self-righteous but if you can ignore that then you'll really enjoy  the story it is trying to tell. The lesson to be learned is that even if family abandons you and you're struggling to make a living you can always find your place in life. If you have a beautiful house by the waterfront to fall back on. Sorry if that is a spoiler. In all seriousness though, it is a nice movie and although it's a drama John and Maya add the right amount of comedy to keep it light while staying on point.