Away We Go...Trailer

What did John Krasinski during his summer break last year? He filmed a Sam Mendes film. At the time, it went under the working title Farlanders. Then it was called This Must Be The Place (a nice nod to a heart warming Talking Heads song). Now, the official title is Away We Go, a solid, sweet title if ever I heard one.

The film, written by Dave Eggers and his wife Vendela Vita, looks warm, funny, sentimental and worth a few dollars plunked down at the box office. It's about a couple in their thirties who are about to have their first child and decide to travel around the country to search for a place to live. It co-stars SNL's Maya Rudolph as the preggers girlfriend to her raffish boyfriend, played by Krasinski.

The film appears to transport John beyond the farcial comedies to which he's been associated. Mendes seems to have zoned in on the sensitivity and comedic timing that have made Krasinski compelling as Jim Halpert. Maya Rudolph, known more for sketch comedy and light fare, seems to take it down a notch, providing more warmth in her humor, appearing more human than cartoonish note required of her on SNL and Kath and Kim. At least that is what I've gleaned just by viewing the trailer.

This flick has a dark, indie feel to it. Krasinski always seemed better suited for independent work. Before The Office fame, he starred in indies such as Smiley Face and the very low budget, amateurish A New Wave - where he was the one shining factor in a very flawed film. Although John will most likely continue to work in those big ass Hollywood productions (he'll be in production on a Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin flick this summer), the grit of low fidelity movies feel like a comfortable fit. As for Rudolph (and to some extent - Krasinski himself - who played second fiddle to George Clooney and Robin Williams), this is her first time headlining a notable production, so it will be fun to see her step beyond the comedy box that put her on the map.

The film also stars Allison Janney, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeff Daniels, Catherine O'Hara and Jim "Hot Pockets" Gaffigan.

The trailer is out, using the music of the incredible Alexi Murdoch. I'm hoping his songs are used throughout this movie, and not just solely for promotional purpose.