For college sweethearts, turned life partners, Burt (played by John Krasinski from the Office) and Verona (played by SNL’s Maya Rudolph), the journey to find the perfect place to raise their child is a heartwarming adventure. Along the way, they visit friends and family on a cross-country tour that brings them closer and helps them reach the ideal destination. This is a trip you definitely want a ticket for!
Although the leads are known for their comedic chops, both bring a level of drama and realism to their roles. Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes is able to bring out endearing aspects of each character. This could have been a cheesy B movie. Instead, Mendez uses veteran actors to illustrate the different paths the leads could take in having and raising a child. Many of the parenting styles are taken to the extreme, but with Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney and Catherine O’Hara taking motherhood types to the extreme, the audience takes joy in going along for the ride.
Burt and Verona show the audience that there is no perfect model for parenting and that it’s okay to be in unfamiliar territory in your life. Sometimes the most unexpected journeys lead you to home.
Grade: A
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