Film Review: “Away We Go”

AWAY WE GO
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Performances by: John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

Within the first few minutes of this film, one can tell there is much to be liked about this movie. It’s profound mixture of comedy and pathos is immediately introduced thus making the entire film a joy to watch as this combination is kept in a steady balance throughout the film. “Away We Go” is a simple film about two expecting parents exploring what their future will be like through visiting couples who have traveled their road before them. The film is so simple, this reviewer has very little to say about it beyond saying it’s really good. But, I’ll do my best.

The film explores parenting in all it’s forms. This exploration leads to some very amusing parodies of child rearing styles which many in the audience could recognize some resembling their own. The film also explores the fears expectant parents have for their unborn’ future and what will happen if one or both parents are no longer in their children’s lives whether though the ending of a relationship of in death.

The film begins with the discovery of the Maya Rudolph’s Character pregnancy by her long time live in boyfriend who is played by John Krasinski. They soon begin a journey to his parent’s home only to discover they’re moving to Europe one month before the child is due to be born. This announcement comes right after they promise to be there for its birth.

This revelation leads them further on their journey to parents who are crude in their remarks and behavior providing no social standards for their children since they’re not listening anyways to another set of parents whose spiritually enlightened approach to child rearing includes frequent and public breast feeding and the couple sleeping in a communal bed with their children; even during sexual activity. Although the former practice is believed to be more prevalent than the later, both have much to be desired by the couple who continues on their journey.

After meeting a couple who adopted several children due to the woman’s inability to carry a baby to term and a man whose wife recently left their family, the John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph characters decide to go home. The home they arrive at are themselves as seen through the love they have for each other. This is reminiscent of words of the poet T. S. Elliot who said, “We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started... and know the place for the first time.” It is at their journey’s end they discover their love will provide a hopeful guidance as they bring their child into the world beginning a larger and more profound journey in the process.

In many ways, this is a journey many of us takes throughout our lives. It matters little if one is expecting an actual physical child or not. There is always an inner child we either nurture or terminate depending on how much we’re willing to allow for love to be a trusted part of our lives or how much are we willing to forego such sentiments and do whatever is reasonable and expected. This may seem off the mark in regards to what this film is about, but it is this reviewer’s interpretation of the film that there is something more to life than what others determine it’s suppose to be.

After all, all the couples the John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph characters met seemed to be very together in regards to society’s standards sought after by many in our culture. Yet, we discover their flaws when we look more closely at how they decide to live their lives. They are all bound to the perceptions dictated by a social norm; even if that social norm isn’t very prevalent. It is only when the John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph characters look to themselves through the love they have for their unborn child do they discover their own potential by ending their self comparison to others and realize they’re no longer what they feared most to be earlier in the film; two “f--- ups.” The theme of this film seems to say to live a life; a full life, we must overcome this fear of being seen as lesser than others by trusting our unborn child and the love we can have for it.

“Away We Go” is rated R and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theatre in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 or visit their website for show times and dates. Most films run one week from Friday to Thursday but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

“Away We Go” was the film viewed and discussed during the most recent Film and Chat Gathering presented by The Forwardian Arts Society on Friday July 3rd at The Pocono Community Theater. The next Film and Chat Gathering will take place Friday August 7th. Please send a message to us through this Blog to gain more information about our Film and Chat Gatherings and discover what film will be seen and discussed in August.