I was lucky enough to attend an advanced screening (thanks for a friend who is a member of the press) of the new Sam Mendes film. I will admit that I was a bit leery of the movie prior to seeing it.

Here's why:

1. John Krasinski doesn't have the best feature film track record.
2. I am not a rom-com lover.
3. Could a Dave Eggers piece really translate to screen without drowning?

My mind has been put at ease. AWAY WE GO is a refreshingly beautiful film with the appropriate amount of humor and heart. Maya Rudolph was absolutely breathtaking as Verona, a mother-to-be wondering how she managed to end up on the wrong path. When faced with challenges in our life, haven't we all asked (at some point) "Am I a fuck up?"?

Krasinski as Burt somehow channeled Seth Rogen in KNOCKED UP. He is the kind of guy we all know - a bit socially awkward but with a huge heart.

While the story of a journey to home was universal, the characters they meet along the way certainly are not. For me, the female supporting characters were top-notch and in the hands of very talented women, did not become caricatures. Catherine O'Hara and Allison Janney! Come on studio heads, these women need to appear in more movies. Melanie Lynskey was tasked with changing the tone in the film and she did an amazing job demonstrating the pain that life eventually causes.

The film is not perfect. I found myself rolling my eyes at the soundtrack, which struck me as incredibly "hipster" and uninspired. Krasinski still hasn't found his voice -- and that could impede his ability to be seen as an indie leading man. Carmen Ejogo was just a pretty girl who happened to be in the film because she looks like Maya Rudolph, sort of...

That said, the search for home has never been so beautiful. Please support this film. We're in the midst of the summer blockbusters and I would hate for this film to fall through the cracks.

Dshanya

dreese6@gmail.com

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