Movie: Away We Go

Maya Rudolph absolutely steals the movie – and our hearts – in “Away We Go,” mostly a romantic comedy with an unusually high caliber of actors playing nutty characters.

The occasionally touching little story, directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes, opens somewhat provocatively in a bedroom – with dialogue to match, as provided by real-life writing couple Dave Egger & Vendela Vida. The social observations simply multiply from there, with longtime live-in lovers Verona (Rudolph) and Burt (John Krasinski) soon finding out that a baby is coming to their Connecticut abode.

Anxious to share the extraordinary news, they visit Burt’s wacky parents (Jeff Daniels and Catherine O’Hara in brief, but funny performances), who let the kids know they’re fulfilling a lifelong dream by moving to Belgium.

Hey, so much for happy, baby-sitting grandparents. The rest is a revealing road trip that has Burt and bigger-by-the-moment Verona visiting mostly twosome friends and a few relatives in Phoenix; Tucson; Madison (Wis.); Montreal and Miami in search of somewhere to call home.

The wacky cast of characters that populate "Away We Go."

At least one couple is a hoot (Allison Janney and Jim Gaffigan); another extremely grating (Maggie Gylenhaal and Josh Hamilton as dippie, hippie parents). A special moment with a third (Melanie Lynskey and Chris Messina) might cause a few folks to reach for something to wipe away tears and others to scratch their heads.

Thankfully, most of the journey remains more joyous than bittersweet, but the versatile Rudolph is especially good for it all, just as she is when still popping up in skits on “Saturday Night Live,” home of her longtime regular TV gig.

As Burt, meanwhile, Krasinski stretches a little more than he does on NBC’s “The Office.” Sure, some may find his routine a bit too precious, including one trumped-up sequence on a trampoline, but all films should have such minor failings.

Besides, it nicely rebounds with a real treat of an ending. Naturally, even with little dialogue, Rudolph’s radiant face speaks volumes.

Rated: R
Stars: Maya Rudolph, John Krasinski, Allison Janney, Jim Gaffigan, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Josh Hamilton, Melanie Lynskey, Chris Messina. Catherine O’Hara, Jeff Daniels
Director: Sam Mendes

Official Site: http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/

[John M. Urbancich has been reviewing movies and writing film features and celebrity profiles at Cleveland's Sun Newspapers for 25 years. As a longtime member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, his work has been appearing on the Sun News website for more than a decade. John also regularly updates his own site at www.JMuvies.com ]