Genres

Visitors Review

ajs-10 2012-05-21 17:14:26

Not perfect, but still recommended...

Sam Mendes has directed some of my favourite films including 'AmericanBeauty' and 'Road to Perdition', and so I was interested to see hislatest offering. I found an interesting, sometimes funny and sometimesvery sad, but always a very engaging tale with great visuals and greatcharacters. But more of that later, here's a short summary first(synopsis haters please ignore the next paragraph).Burt Farlander and Verona De Tessant are going to have a baby. Veronais six months' pregnant when Burt's parents announce they are going tomove to Belgium for two years. This leaves the couple in a bit of aquandary, they have no other family in the area and so decide to go ona road-trip to visit various friends and family living in differentparts of North America. The trip takes them to Arizona, MadisonWisconsin, Montreal Canada, Florida and finally the place they decideto call home (I'm not giving that away). On their journey they meet alldifferent kinds of families, all of which, for one reason or another,are broken. They look into themselves and find the place they wanttheir child to grow up.There are some really great visuals in this film, it's just a shamethere weren't more. I did find that the story did wander slightly inplaces, but Sam Mendes has a great ability to bring it back on track,which he does really well. Great characters used throughout, all ofwhich I found quite believable. Very decent performances from all ofthe major cast, particularly John Krasinski as Burt and Maya Rudolph asVerona. Honourable mentions should also go to Catherine O'Hara asGloria Farlander, Jeff Daniels as Jerry Farlander, Allison Janney asLily, Jim Gaffigan as Lowell and Maggie Gyllenhaal as LN Fisher-Herrin.Although it has quite a slow pace, I found it has an engaging plot andsome characters I actually care about. Some great visuals also add to apretty enjoyable film which, although not perfect, is still recommendedviewing.My score: 7.3/10

2012-05-21 03:33:55

Fun Little Romantic Comedy

This review is from: Away We Go [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) This was a fun little movie with lots of things to think about in a couple starting out in the world together. I always love Maya Rudolph.

Red-125 2012-05-18 20:13:46

A road movie with a difference

Away We Go (2009), directed by Sam Mendes, is a road movie with adifference. Many road movies involve strangers met by the protagonistas he or she travels from place to place. Away We Go sends the two maincharacters into different locations, but all the people they meet arepeople they already know, or think they know.When Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph) learns that she is pregnant, thequestion for her and her partner, Burt (John Krasinkski) is, Where dowe live after the baby is born? To answer the question, they travelfrom distant (U.S. and Canadian) city to distant city. Mostly what theyfind is disappointment and bad surprises.Lily (Allison Janney), a former boss and friend, proves to be adysfunctional person raising a dysfunctional family. A "cousin," LN(Maggie Gyllenhaal) gives new meaning to the words New Age. Verona'ssister Grace (Carmen Ejogo) has her own problems and heartaches.There are jokes (and laughs) along the way, but, the trip gets more andmore discouraging (for them and us) as the movie goes along. What savesVerona and Burt (and the movie) is the loving, caring, and realisticrelationship between the couple. They're both interesting, quirky, andattractive people. We care for them, and we want their quest tosucceed.Both Janney and Gyllenhaal are outstanding--as expected--althoughMendes has portrayed both their characters in an exaggerated,over-the-top fashion. That's OK--we get the point, and the movie is awork of fiction, not a documentary.Maya Rudolph makes a smooth transition from TV (SNL) to film. She's notdrop-dead beautiful in the Hollywood style, which makes her moreattractive (to me) and more appropriate to the character she plays.Burt's character is more problematic. He's supposed to be someone who"sells insurance to insurance companies," but he looks and dresses morelike an assistant manager at a fast- food restaurant. (He goes to a jobinterview dressed like someone who has picked out his clothing at athrift shop.) And, given his moderate success in business, and Verona'sequally moderate success as a medical illustrator, they're amazinglycasual about spending money. Are they using their life's savings? All in all, this is a movie worth seeing, but not likely to be onanyone's list of all-time favorite movies. We saw it at the excellentLittle Theatre in Rochester, NY. It would also work well on DVD.

2012-05-18 07:07:24

VERY good, not disappointed at ALL.

I saw the previews for this but when it hit theaters it was a crazy time and didn't get to see it. Finally watched it and I gotta say, love it.If you like quirky, funny, sad, human, REAL movies, hard to go wrong here. Great job by the entire cast, including Jim Gaffigan who, shockingly, is still funny without being his stage-self. When I saw him I expected him to play "Jim Gaffigan", but he did a really nice job.GREAT cast of characters...just a steady stream of interesting people.

2012-05-11 02:53:23

Reminiscent of Garden State, and thats good!

This review is from: Away We Go (Amazon Instant Video) This movie was a charming look at a couple that is struggling to define themselves and to find their place in the world. The comedy was perfectly placed and well written. The story lines were honest and believable glimpses into various peoples very different lives. The main couple visits friends and family around North America trying to find where they would fit. What they find out is that they don't really fit any of those places and they have to make their own way in the world. Excellent movie, one of the best of 2009.

2012-05-10 06:24:06

Away We Go

This review is from: Away We Go (DVD) I truly enjoyed this film. I thought it had a really good message. It only had one problem. The language. I don't usually care about such things, but a friend was over to watch it with me and she was offended. Truly the language was not necessary to the movie and I think this is a shame. I know she should loosen up maybe, but using language for shock value is unnecessary. However, over all I liked the picture.

hnballet 2012-05-10 15:08:06

Sweet!!!

Maya Rudolph earns this movie a 10!!! I have to say though, I'm notsurprised at how brilliant she is. Even on SNL she was the queen ofunderstatement. So many good reviews have been written for this filmthere's not much to add that hasn't already been stated beautifully. Iwould only offer this one angle I haven't yet read. I took it that partof their journey was to see old faces and places with their new,about-to-be-parents, eyes. They already knew everyone they interactedwith in this film. And yet on this road trip, as soon-to-be-parents, itwas as though they were meeting them for the first time. And some ofwhat they encountered was pretty shocking, or funny, or sad, in waysthey hadn't picked up on before. This is a very sweet, kooky, funny, and moving story. Maya Rudolphneeds to do a lot more of this kind of work. She is BRILLIANT!!! Warning: the formula is a little repetitive... But not to the point ofdiminishing it's qualities. There's a good reason for this. And the payoff at the end justifies every minute you had to wait for it. See thismovie. There are few like it, and few as good.

2012-05-10 05:08:20

A Garden State Sister Movie

This movie was moving , touching and funny. If you liked Garden State you will love this one! If you are a guy and need to impress a girl with a chic flick and be entertained - this movie is the one.

Michael Carruthers 2012-05-03 01:14:56

A nice change of pace for Sam Mendes.

Sam Mendes takes a welcome break from his high-budget, A-list starringfilms to direct this neat little movie that has an indie-vibe about it.John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph have wonderful chemistry, playing twomobile mid-thirties "fuck-ups" who cris-cross across America in searchof the perfect city to lay down roots and raise their impending family.Krasinski in particular is lovable and very funny in his role. As thecouple travel to different cities in search of a new home, we areintroduced to an array of supporting players who, despite limitedscreen time, make just as much of an impression as the two leads (whoare basically in every frame of the film). Maggie Gyllenhaal isstand-out hilarious as NL, a "new age" mother, the segment at her homeis easily the film's funniest. Melanie Lynskey and David Messina breakyour heart as a big-hearted married couple unable to conceive their ownchildren. Kudos to Lynskey for really making a pole-dancing scenesuitably remorseful, and Messina's monologue whilst he watches his wifeis one of the film's emotional highlights. From this lovely film it'sclear that Mendes directs an intimate, subtle and observant story justas brilliantly as he does the "big" movies he's commanded sinceAmerican Beauty. More ventures like this would be a welcome treat fromhim.

nama chakravorty 2012-05-02 12:04:28

Charming...

Sam Mendes is one of the most talented filmmakers in Cinema today. Andin 'Away We Go', he proves his status once again. This Travelling fareshows a charming side of Mendes.'Away We Go' is about two partners, who are in their early thirties andstruggling to meet daily needs. They are about to have a baby. Due tosome circumstances, then decide to shift from place to place, whichwill eventually let them find out which is the right place for them andtheir about-to-be-born child.'Away We Go' works because of Mendes's Direction, the Performances andit's innovative Screenplay. The lead characters are wonderfully penned,and the journey they embark on, the people they meet, theirrealizations, come out with complete honesty. Writers Dave Eggers andVendela Vida deserve a pat for their work. Mendes is in top form, asmentioned before.Performance-Wise: John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph are the life of theshow. They bring in so much of honesty, charm and genuineness in theirparts. Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels are effective. MaggieGyllenhaal is absolutely fantastic. Others are perfect in their parts.On the whole, this ain't no masterpiece, but without a shed of doubt, acharming and down-to-earth story of two partners expecting their firstchild. Thumbs Up!

2012-05-01 22:05:35

A story of discovery

I see a lot of movies & many are rote. Away We Go is a sparkling gem buried under all the big name movies. It is a quiet, quirky & artistic tale of finding yourself, your place in the world & home. Loved it!

David T. 2012-05-01 09:40:04

What do "family," "home," commitment and caring, mean to you?

It's hard to tell whether Sam Mendes ("American Beauty," "RevolutionaryRoad") is just trying to emulate the rough-edged feel and flaws of alow-budget indie, where you get a few decent "name" actors to more orless donate their work — or whether he couldn't drum up much budget(not that I know how close to scale the actors in "Away We Go" appearedfor) for this script. Or whether this is just the kind of film hewanted to make, on its own merits, consciously and intentionally inthis style. Hand-held camera not always keeping the principals in theshot. "Basement band" soundtrack, the mood and lyrics always a littletoo earnestly spot-on. The arc of the film reminds one of AlexanderPayne's "About Schmidt," where the encounters occurring in the contextof life-changing events serve to sharpen the image we have, ourunderstanding of the main character or characters, the protagonist(s).In this film about a couple of young parents-to-be searching for theperfect place and community in which to raise their daughter, Bert(John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) certainly encounter theirshare of wackos — but also people in genuine pain, as opposed to thedeserved social isolation experienced by their first interlocutors,played by Alison Janney and Jim Gaffigan (she shriekingly over the top,he rather low-key until he waxes didactic about the apocalypticextinctions to come, culminating in our own). Bert and Verona veer fromthe encounter with that couple in Phoenix, who constantly verballyabuse their two children on the theory that they're pre-wired anyway tobecome who they will become, to visit the family of a childhood friendof Bert's in Madison, Wis. (Maggie Gyllenhaal, with Josh Hamilton), forwhom it's the opposite: everything you do matters, and much of it ispotentially deeply damaging (including pushing a kid around — hurtfully"away from you") — in a stroller. (This item provides one of thefunnier vignettes in the film.) The deep sadness of a wonderfully"well-adjusted" family they then visit in Montreal — with a spectrum ofadopted children of a truly sane but grievously unfortunate pair whojust can't have their "own" kids, despite valiantly trying — isespecially tragic to witness. As is the fear on the part of anabandoned husband (Paul Schneider) living in Miami — fear of theinevitable damage to be experienced by his now-motherless, prepubescentdaughter, for lack of a female role model and nurturer. Even with somebizarre, grossly dysfunctional permutations depicted, this is a filmthat explores the form and meaning family and home take for differentpeople —the different ways in which we seek and express commitment,seek security, take care of one another. In the end, the film suggests,in our particular fragmented, f'ed-up society, it may often befruitless to look to a larger community, a social network of friendsand family ("it takes a village"), to support us and our offspring. AsRick says in "Casablanca," "it doesn't take much to see that theproblems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in thiscrazy world." The most we probably do is to create the strongestpartnership and sanest home we can, on a desert island in the stormysea. If we're lucky, it will be in the eye of the hurricane. For morereviews like this one, as well as Fake news and other content andcomment, visit midtownphoenix.blogspot.com

David D 2012-04-29 01:05:49

A wonderful independent movie.

Don't miss this one. If you liked Sideways, Death at a Funeral, check this out. You will love the characters; wonderfully well written. Great humor.

Vivian 2012-04-28 07:06:05

The critics are idiots

This movie is truly worth seeing. It isn't self-indulgent or self-important as that jerk from the New York Post descibes it. The acting is wonderful and the story is incredibly poignant! My acting teacher gave me and another classmate free tickets to see it at the Arc Light but I would pay money to see it again...

iambruce-1 2012-04-28 12:33:28

Not Places but Styles

I found the movie much more interesting as the characters' explorationof parenting styles (I believe this to be a very important question forany couple considering parenthood). It seemed appropriate that thefirst "example" was the father's parents, as this is often the firstframe of reference each of us will (subconsciously?) consider on thisquestion...."what kind of parents do we want to be"? The movie can beseen as portraying then, the abusive parents, the over-protectiveparents, the absent parents (Montreal), the divorced parents. Theisolation of the final location (home) seemed to convey the idea thatwe're left to make this decision of parenting style, by ourselves (andperhaps most influenced by our parents, after all).Don't know if the author had this in mind, but I got more out of themovie through this "lens".

2012-04-27 21:34:17

Away I went

After 10 minutes I gave up on the film. Why? One reason, the lead actress is extremely unattractive. Why would Sam Mendes do this? Was it because Kate Winslet told him he is not allowed to work with attractive women anymore after the young girl in "american beauty"? Is this why they have now broken up?I love Jim from the office, John Kranski, but lost respect for his character in the opening scene, cmon man, you can do better. One star as amazon won't allow no star. I heard it was funny.I like Sam Mendes.The girl was very unattractive and I like looking at gorgeous girls when I watch a film.

2012-04-27 04:16:59

Amazing Movie!

This review is from: Away We Go (DVD) Quite honestly, one of my favorite love stories. Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski were just fantastic and their chemistry was magnetic. I highly recommend this.

pinho-1 2012-04-26 16:42:09

Sam Mendes disappointed big time

That movie is so full of clichés it hurts... Everything is aspredictable as wrinkles at 70. At first you may think it's was going tobe at least decent but the further it goes the worse it gets. The firstwarning sign appears in scene in bathroom shop ending with two sisters'chat in bathtub. That's where things start becoming sweet and sticky...Black & white characters, unsurprising and unfunny dialogues... Andoverwhelming boredom! Sometimes you can hear about a film: 'It's enoughto see the trailer - everything is in it'. Well in this case I wouldsay: It's enough to see the poster. You will know how it starts, ends,and what the soundtrack is like. Yaaaawn...

2012-04-26 08:51:04

Journey with Satire and Love Pack for the ride

The depiction of these two "*****-ups" was one to remember. Seemingly an older version Juno but much more funny with high sense of reality. The movie ends on a note most movies cannot, on a note that makes the audiences wonder what's next. That's what I love the most.

2012-04-25 11:54:40

Hour and a half I'll never get back.

OMG Why did I go to this. Anyone who complains about water boardingbeing torture has never sat thru this movie! This movie isSLLLLOOOOWWWWW, Depressing, BORING, POINTELSS, VERY OVERACTED andgenerally looks like a bad art school video project. RUN AWAY!!!! Iwent to a sneak preview. I felt more like it had been a sneak attack onme. Most of the movie is a series of uncomfortable moments, not for theactors, but for the audience. I was actually embarrassed for theactors, director, etc. that they were associated with this dud. I thinkthere were two time my date actually laughed. My only thought was,"When is this going to end?" I hope this was filmed digitally, maybethey can tape over it.