- Film Review
- Reviewed By Brian Pendreigh
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3 out of 5
After the gloomy Revolutionary Road, director Sam Mendes returns to the quirkiness of American Beauty for this spin on the road movie. Thirtysomething Burt (John Krasinski) and heavily pregnant partner Verona (Maya Rudolph) live near to Burt's parents in Colorado, and assume they'll be around to help with childcare (Verona's parents died while the couple were at college). But when the seniors announce they are moving to Belgium, the rather aimless couple hit the road in search of a new home. Along the way they meet up with various family members and friends, ranging from the slightly individualistic to the positively pantomimic. (Allison Janney is a motormouth former work colleague of Verona's who talks about sex, loudly, in front of her children; Maggie Gyllenhaal is a hippie childhood friend of Burt's, who has very strong beliefs about the right way to raise kids.) The first half of the film is great fun, even if the characterisations are at times overblown. But after a visit to some university pals in Canada, the tone changes, things get serious and the pace slackens. With all the travelling and soul-searching, the dénouement is long in coming and too pat when it does.
Plot Summary
Road-movie comedy drama starring John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph. The slacker lifestyle must come to an end for a pregnant couple who drive across America searching for family members who can offer them stability and support.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Burt Farlander
- John Krasinski
- Verona De Tessant
- Maya Rudolph
- Jerry Farlander
- Jeff Daniels
- Ellen, "LN"
- Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Lily
- Allison Janney
- Tom Garnett
- Chris Messina
- Gloria Farlander
- Catherine O'Hara
- Courtney Farlander
- Paul Schneider (2)
- Grace De Tessant
- Carmen Ejogo
- Lowell
- Jim Gaffigan
- Roderick
- Josh Hamilton
- Munch Garnett
- Melanie Lynskey
Crew
- Director
- Sam Mendes
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