2. Away We Go
Away We Go is directed by Skyfalls Sam Mendes and written by husband and wife duo Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida. In this 2009 comedy-drama we meet Verona and Burt who are in their early thirties and struggle to make ends meet. On top of this they learn that they will become parents and they are forced to make a decision on where to raise their child. As Verona no longer has parents of her own the couple hope to get support from Burts parents who live nearby but they selfishly drop the bombshell that they are going travelling. Enter road trip: Verona and Burt begin a search for the perfect place to raise a family.
Where are they going? In their 1989 Volvo 240 Sedan they visit a number of cities that each hosts their ownvery different type of family set up. In Phoenix we meet Verona's old boss Lily who has a husband and two kids. Lily is loud and uncensored and makes mean remarks to her quiet and solemn children. In the parking lot she plants a big kiss on Burt's mouth which makes Phoenix a big no for our expectant couple. We then get the creepy new-age mum played by Maggie Gyllenhall who likes to make love in the bed whilst her kids lie next to her. Other strange maternal practices are her strong dislike for prams and double breastfeeding her too-old-to-be-breast-fed children. Burt and Verona pretty much run out of there as fast as they can. They then visit friends from college who have adopted a number of children but still harbour a tragic longing. Lastly they visit Burts brother in Miami who has been abandoned by his wife and has to raise a child on his own. Neither of these destinations provides our parents to be with what they are looking for. When Verona shares a story with Burt about the house she grew up in they make a decision to move into Veronas abandoned family home.