Away We Go Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A pregnant couple goes on a road trip to find the perfect place to live, only to realize that home is where they can mooch off Verona’s dead parents.

🍿 Away We Go: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Unexpected News and a Life-Changing Decision

Burt Farlander and Verona De Tessant, an unmarried couple in their mid-30s, are surprised to discover they are expecting their first child. They live a modest life in Colorado, near Burt’s parents, Jerry and Gloria. The couple’s initial excitement turns to uncertainty when Jerry and Gloria announce their impromptu decision to move to Antwerp, Belgium, just before the baby is due. Feeling abandoned and questioning their future, Burt and Verona decide to embark on a journey across the US and Canada to find the perfect place to settle down and raise their child. They plan to visit friends and relatives, hoping to find a supportive community and a sense of belonging.

A Series of Unconventional Encounters

The couple’s road trip leads them to various destinations and encounters with a series of eccentric and often dysfunctional individuals. In Phoenix, they visit Verona’s former boss, Lily, an abrasive and unfiltered woman with a troubled family life. They find the experience unsettling and disheartening. Next stop is Tucson, where they reconnect with Verona’s sister, Grace, and confront unresolved emotions about their deceased parents. Their journey continues to Madison, Wisconsin, where they meet Burt’s childhood friend, LN, a new-age parenting advocate with extreme and sometimes bizarre views. This encounter further challenges their ideas about raising children and leaves them feeling alienated. Each visit highlights different aspects of modern life and parenting, often in a satirical and thought-provoking manner.

Finding Hope and a Place to Call Home

As Burt and Verona continue their search, they visit Montreal, reconnecting with college friends Tom and Munch, who have a loving family of adopted children. While initially drawn to their seemingly idyllic life, they discover that Tom and Munch are struggling with their own hidden sorrows. Finally, in Miami, they visit Burt’s brother, Courtney, who is dealing with the fallout from his wife leaving him and their daughter. Witnessing Courtney’s vulnerability and Verona sharing a childhood memory inspires them to reassess their priorities. They realize that ‘home’ is not a place, but a feeling of belonging and connection. They ultimately decide to settle in Verona’s old family home on the Florida Panhandle, embracing the idea of creating their own family and future.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Burt Farlander (John Krasinski): A quirky insurance salesman who embarks on a road trip with his pregnant girlfriend to find the perfect place to raise their child.
• Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph): A medical illustrator who is expecting her first child and joins Burt on a journey of self-discovery and finding a place to call home.
• Lily (Allison Janney): Verona’s former boss who is an abrasive and unfiltered alcoholic with a dysfunctional family.
• LN (Maggie Gyllenhaal): Burt’s pseudo-cousin with radical views on parenting and an unconventional lifestyle.
• Jerry (Jeff Daniels): Burt’s father who decides to move to Belgium with his wife shortly before his grandchild is due.
• Gloria (Catherine O’Hara): Burt’s mother who decides to move to Belgium with her husband, impacting Burt and Verona’s plans.
• Courtney (Paul Schneider): Burt’s brother in Miami, dealing with a recent separation from his wife and the impact on his daughter.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Verona: “We’re 34 years old. We should have basic stuff figured out, like how to live.” – Verona expresses her anxieties about adulthood and their unconventional lifestyle after learning Burt’s parents are moving.
• Burt: “I’ll love you even if I can’t find your vagina.” – Burt reassures Verona during her pregnancy when she feels insecure about her changing body.
• Lily: “Parenting has next to no impact on a kid’s life.” – Lily, Verona’s former boss, shares her cynical view on parenting, believing genetics determine everything.
• Burt: “We’re not losers!” – Burt declares this after realizing they can create a meaningful life together, despite not fitting conventional molds.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $17,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,451,946
• Worldwide Gross: $15,779,455

💥 Away We Go Reviews

Personal Review

I loved Away We Go! It felt so real and honest, even with all the quirky characters they met. Maya Rudolph was amazing; I’d never seen her do something so subtle and moving. The scene on the trampoline where they’re making promises to each other? I actually teared up. It’s a movie that really sticks with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of indie films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy character-driven stories”
  • “Those interested in themes of family and belonging”
  • “People who appreciate quirky comedy with emotional depth”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Brief sexual content”
  • “Discussions of mature themes related to parenting and relationships”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Mendes finds the funny and poignant in this road trip dramedy about a couple expecting their first child. Krasinski and Rudolph deliver grounded performances that keep the film relatable, even when the characters they encounter are hilariously quirky.
• The New York Times: “Away We Go eschews traditional rom-com tropes for a more realistic and nuanced portrayal of a couple navigating the anxieties of impending parenthood. While some of the supporting characters are over-the-top, the film ultimately finds its heart in the quiet moments between Burt and Verona.
• Entertainment Weekly: “The film is episodic, but there’s an underlying sweetness and intelligence to it, due in no small part to the fantastic work done by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph as the leads. Some of the humor is a little too forced.

Audience Reactions

The relatable characters and realistic depiction of a couple trying to find their place in the world resonated with viewers.: Many praised the film for its heartfelt performances and unconventional approach to the road trip genre.

John Krasinski and Maya Rudolphs’s believable chemistry captured the audience.: The film makes you laugh and cry in turns.

Overall Consensus: Away We Go is a quirky, heartfelt road trip movie with strong performances and a unique perspective on family and finding your place in the world. It’s a feel-good film that leaves you thinking.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The screenwriters, Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, are married in real life, adding a layer of authenticity to the couple’s dynamic.”
• “Maya Rudolph wore four pairs of biking shorts under her gown for the brief oral sex scene.”
• “Director Sam Mendes made a conscious effort to create a film with more heart and humor than his previous, often darker, works.”

🖥️ How to Watch Away We Go?

Away We Go is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options. Some streaming services may offer the film with a subscription or as a premium rental.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Away We Go, you might like these similar films:

• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Both films are quirky road trip movies focused on family dynamics and finding connection amidst eccentric characters.
• Juno (2007): Deals with unexpected pregnancy with quirky characters and deals with non-traditional families.
• Captain Fantastic (2016): Explores unconventional parenting styles and a family’s journey to find their place in the world while questioning societal norms.
• This is Where I Leave You (2014): Explores family dynamics when adults go back to their childhood home.

🛒 Away We Go Related Products

• Away We Go [Blu-ray]: Own the movie in high definition with special features, including behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes.
• Alexi Murdoch – Time Without Consequence: Own the soundtrack, featuring the soothing tunes of Alexi Murdoch.
• The Office: The Complete Series [DVD]: Complete series of The Office, in which John Krasinski plays one of the main characters, Jim Halpert.
• Trampoline: Miniature tabletop trampoline

🎧 Soundtrack

Away We Go features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “All My Days” – performed by Alexi Murdoch
• “Orange Sky” – performed by Alexi Murdoch
• “Wait” – performed by Alexi Murdoch
• “The Good Times” – performed by Guy Fletcher

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Away We Go – Antwerp Clip

Ever wondered what life is like in Antwerp? This clip from ‘Away We Go’ gives you a sneak peek into their journey through the city. I personally loved this scene – it perfectly captures the quirky charm of the movie!

✨ Rate