Looks like I'm alone in liking Away We Go.
Why is it loathed to such extent?
The reason I think it's evil (and I do) is that it perpetrates an incredibly wrong-headed idea: we don't need anybody but ourselves. Bull. Shit. This film is about their journey across America to find a place to raise their child. They encounter caricatures. I would be astonished if you lived around these people because they don't begin to exist. Red state hypocrites. Blue state hypocrites. Then they hit a breakthrough and meet good people in Montreal, but they're sad! They're dragged off to Florida to be with their brother who is in a state of misfortune in his life. All looks fine and well to form a family unit with him, but, no. There is one last stop along the way and it is total isolation: a perfect fit for these self-absorbed hipsters. They would rather opt to live alone than with other people. To not choose to live with other people is to in spirit not live for other people, which is the wrong mindset in which to raise a child. As put by John Givings, I'm glad I'm not gonna be that kid.
Maya Rudolph did not give a great performance, but a lot of people wanted her to. I think that clouded a lot of minds. Nobody did. And Sam Mendes stages the film - like he's doing now with everything - like an unpleasant dining experience. It's a crock.