Away We Go (2009)

The story of an intellectual but quirky couple (Jim from the Office and Maya Rudolph from SNL) in their early thirties who live in a trailer in the woods. They find out in quick secession that they are expecting a child, and that Jims parents are moving abroad. So they decide that they want to start fresh somewhere new….ROADTRIP! They head out on the American road to discover what “home” means to them.

Yeah, that corny. But this isn’t a total waste of time.

Their relationship is realistic and cute and you really root for them to be happy. The couples they meet along the way (some old friends and acquaintances) are really funny and perfectly cast. Maggie Gyllenhaal is hilarious as the new-age earth mother, Allison Janney and Jim Gaffigan are awesome as the boozed out dysfunctional family, Jeff Daniels and Margret O’Hara as Jims Parents-very funny. There is good stuff in here, but it just never soars, and the subject matter really demands that it does or it just kinda falls flat and feels dull (and even worse: predictable).

The soundtrack is spotty too, Velvets, George Harrison and then some dude that sounds like Nick Drake was just too expensive. Also, if they live in a trailer with no heat, how do they afford to fly around the country at the drop of a hat? Also, I was feeling very target marketed by this one. If you’ve ever touched a copy of “The Believer” this one is all up in your grill.

It’s a perfectly adequate rom-com for the Juno fans out there, but no rush.