Burt and Verona (John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph) are expecting their first child, but feel uncertain of where their lives are headed; they go on a road trip and hope to gain insight from meeting old friends and relatives. A feel-good experience that looks almost like an educational film for couples and parents-in-waiting; there’s plenty of lessons here to be learned. Some of the characters the couple encounters on the journey are a bit too broad and the film is rather simple, but it often hits the right tone. The leading performances are good and some of the supporting actors provide amusing caricatures.
2009-U.S. 98 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Sam Mendes. Screenplay: Dave Eggers, Vendela Vida. Cast: John Krasinski (Burt Farlander), Maya Rudolph (Verona De Tessant), Catherine O’Hara (Gloria Farlander), Jeff Daniels, Carmen Ejogo… Allison Janney, Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Trivia: Toni Collette was allegedly first cast in the role that came to be played by Gyllenhaal.
