Sunday, January 24, 2010

Away We Go



Last night Jim and I were looking for a good Saturday night movie to watch after Little Man was in bed. We stumbled across Away We Go, a 2009 comedy/drama directed by Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes and written by the husband-and-wife team of Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida. It starred that cutie, I mean, "good actor", John Krasinski from the Office, so I figured it was worth a watch. What a pleasant surprise. It was so well done. And, as a theater person, great acting gets me excited and there were some really good (and funny) performances in this film. Krasinsky was a slightly geeky, but sweet natured boyfriend to Maya Rudolph's character who gets pregnant, and they both find themselves wondering if they are f- ups because they are in their early thirties, pregnant and not truly settled yet.
Maya Rudolph (daughter of singer Minnie "Loving You" Ripperton and former Saturday Night Live cast member) gave a surprisingly straight and touching performance, particularly in the last scene. Kasinsky and Rudolph had a nice chemistry between them. I think most anyone would like this, unless you are prudish, then you will find the opening scene in, um, bad taste (couldn't resist).
But, I LOVED the cameo performances in this film. Catherine O'hara (Of Waiting For Guffman and various other Christopher Guest films) was hilarious as usual as Krasinsky's selfish mom who decided to move to Belgium with her husband (played by a dry-humoured Jeff Daniels) one month before their grandchild is born. This drives Krasinsky and Randolph to set out to find a home near loved ones. They visit an old co-worker of hers, played by Allison Janne, who is completely insane and extremely funny as well. As someone who has studied the virtues of attachment parenting, I howled during the scene where they visit Krasinsky's "cousin" played by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Rudolph misunderstands her name to be "Ellen", but it was "LN" for lactation nurse. They walk in to see her for the first time tandum nursing a big boy and an infant. She and her husband played by Josh Hamilton are absolutely hilarious, and the faux pas of the young couple bringing them a stroller as a gift had me literally laughing out loud.
Also, as one who has dealt with infertility and pondering adoption, I was touched by the storyline of their friends they visit in Montreal who have a housefull of adopted kids. Rudolph decides that she wants what that family has. But the heartbreak of infertility bubbles up and is beautifully portrayed in the words of Chris Messina's character and in the sadness on Melanie Lynskey's face. The storyline of a motherless little girl was intense as well.
I definitely recommend this film to anyone who is specifically interested in parenting or in fine films in general.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Look at you all "posty, posty"... LOL

Sounds wonderful. Must keep my eye out for it, fer sure!!
Been thinkin' bout you lots lately, not sure why:)

Liz Mays said...

I hadn't heard of this one but that John Krasinski is so endearing! It sounds like my cup of tea!

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

Thanks for reminding me about this movie. My hubby and I had seen the preview over a year ago at a movie theatre and I had completely forgot that. Have to add it to my queue from the library.

Unknown said...

i really liked this movie a lot. thought the acting in it was good as well.

Molly said...

Thanks for reminding me to put that one on my netflix list....I just saw Lars and The Real Girl, what a surprise, it was really good.

Mike said...

I have not sat and watched a movie in so long! I need to take some time.

Julie said...

Yes, we got this via Netflix a few weeks ago. I find myself constantly imitating Maggie Gyllenhal's character and getting rid of the negativity by flailing my arms out in front of me. My husband even did it last night (although just mocking me). However I am not following her lead by still nursing my almost five year old. 13 months (for 2 boys) was enough for this mama!

Helene said...

I saw that on Netflix and wondered if it was any good! I'm gonna add it to my qeue (or however that's spelled!!)

I didn't know Maya Rudolph was Minnie Riperton's daughter!!

yonca said...

This movie was awesome!I can watch it again.

mudmama said...

Yeah, check it out, y'all!
I will add Lars and The Real Girl, to my lists of flix to see, thank Molly
Otin- hope you enjoy a movie break, soon!
Hi ya Julie- I can just see you doing that--too funny! Yup--I am with you on the nursing thing. Once he started biting (and laughing) he was cut off!! :)
Yup- fun trivia about Maya being Minnie's daughter! I found out more trivia, on the end of "Loving You" she can be heard singing "Maya, Maya, Maya" and was said to have used it as a lullabye for her ... sweet!
Yonca, glad you liked it too! I could totally watch it again as well

mudmama said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mudmama said...

Yeah, check it out, y'all!
I will add Lars and The Real Girl, to my lists of flix to see, thank Molly
Otin- hope you enjoy a movie break, soon!
Hi ya Julie- I can just see you doing that--too funny! Yup--I am with you on the nursing thing. Once he started biting (and laughing) he was cut off!! :)
Yup- fun trivia about Maya being Minnie's daughter! I found out more trivia, on the end of "Loving You" she can be heard singing "Maya, Maya, Maya" and was said to have used it as a lullabye for her ... sweet!
Yonca, glad you liked it too! I could totally watch it again as well

Andrea said...

Hi! (Waving!) I totally want to see this movie! I'm glad you liked it. I definitely want to catch it on cable somehow. Sometime. :) Hope you're doing well!

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