Away We Go (2009) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An expecting couple travels across several communities before choosing a home shaped by love, memory, and shared commitment.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

An Uncertain Beginning

Burt and Verona learn they are expecting a child and begin considering how to create a fulfilling family life. Their hopes are complicated when Burt's parents leave the area and make their housing situation uncertain.

Key Events

• Expecting Their First Child — Burt and Verona learn they will become parents and question how to build a fulfilling family life. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Denver area
• Preparing for Parenthood — The couple considers the practical and emotional challenge of raising a child. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Denver area
• Parents Announce Departure — Burt's parents announce that they are moving abroad before the baby is due. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Denver area family home
• A Home Is Rented Away — They discover the family home has already been rented to another couple for two years. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Denver area family home
• Choosing A New Search — Frustrated, Burt and Verona decide to search for another place to raise their family. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Denver area

Searching For Better Models

The couple visits Phoenix and Tucson while comparing different approaches to family life. A harsh household makes them more determined to find a kinder and more supportive community.

Key Events

• Phoenix Household Visit — The couple visits Lily and Lowell to observe their family life. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant, Lily, Lowell Location: Phoenix, Arizona
• Harsh Family Behavior — Burt is disturbed by the couple's cruel behavior toward each other and their children. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant, Lily, Lowell Location: Phoenix home
• Leaving Phoenix Behind — The Phoenix household fails to provide the supportive family model they seek. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Phoenix, Arizona
• Tucson Family Visit — Burt and Verona visit Verona's sibling and discuss a relationship decision. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Tucson, Arizona
• Humor Reveals Devotion — Burt's humorous phone conversation leads Verona's sibling to praise Burt, and Verona agrees. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Tucson, Arizona

The Limits Of Ideals

In Madison, an unconventional parenting environment produces a sharp confrontation. The couple then reaches Montreal, where an affectionate adopted family briefly seems to offer the answer they need.

Key Events

• Continuum Home Visit — The couple visits Burt's childhood friend and her husband, bringing a stroller as a gift. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant, Roderick Location: Madison, Wisconsin
• The Stroller Causes Offense — The stroller angers the hosts because their home follows an unconventional parenting philosophy. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant, Roderick Location: Madison home
• Burt Condemns The Hosts — Roderick's condescension and personal remarks push Burt to call the hosts horrible people. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant, Roderick Location: Madison home
• The Wild Stroller Ride — Before leaving, Burt and Verona take a child on a wild stroller ride through the house. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Madison home
• Montreal Family Visit — They visit old college friends and meet their diverse family of adopted children. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Montreal, Quebec
• A Loving Community Found — Burt and Verona feel welcomed by the loving family and decide Montreal could be their home. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Montreal, Quebec

Crisis And Commitment

An emergency brings Burt and Verona to Miami to support a struggling family. Their night together renews their promise to build a loving home.

Key Events

• Marriage Grief Revealed — Burt reveals his repeated proposals, while Verona's refusal is connected to grief over her deceased parents. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Montreal restaurant
• Emergency Call From Miami — Burt receives an emergency call about his brother's marital crisis and the welfare of a young daughter. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Montreal
• Comforting A Broken Family — Burt comforts his brother while Verona spends time with the child during the family crisis. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Miami, Florida
• Promise Under The Stars — Burt and Verona spend the night outside and promise to love each other and their daughter. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Miami backyard

Returning To The Past

Verona recalls her childhood home and the loss of her parents. The memory guides the couple toward the Florida house as the place where they can begin their future.

Key Events

• Verona Remembers Her Home — Verona tells Burt about her childhood home and the car crash that killed her parents. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Miami area
• Choosing The Florida House — Moved by Verona's memories, they decide to settle in her family's old home. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Florida panhandle
• A Shared Future — Burt and Verona sit happily together, overlooking the water and imagining their family future. Characters: Burt Farlander, Verona De Tessant Location: Florida panhandle waterfront

Story Breakdown

• Unexpected Parenthood — Burt and Verona face the emotional and practical challenge of becoming parents.
  • Pregnancy Discovery — The couple learns that they will soon become parents.
  • Family Uncertainty — They question how and where to raise their child.
• Denver Disappointment — The couple loses the nearby family support and housing stability they expected.
  • Parents Depart — Burt's parents prepare to move abroad before the birth.
  • Home Reassigned — Their former home has already been rented to another couple.
• Failed Family Examples — Early visits expose family environments that do not match the couple's values.
  • Phoenix Tension — Burt is disturbed by harsh behavior within the Phoenix household.
  • Tucson Encouragement — Burt's humor helps Verona recognize the strength of their partnership.
• Madison Confrontation — An unconventional parenting philosophy turns a friendly visit into a personal conflict.
  • Stroller Dispute — A stroller gift angers the hosts in their continuum home.
  • Burt Walks Out — Burt condemns the hosts and leaves with Verona.
• Montreal Possibility — A loving adopted family gives Burt and Verona hope that they have found the right community.
  • Welcoming Household — They encounter a diverse family whose members care for one another.
  • Marriage Grief — Burt's proposals and Verona's grief over her parents become an intimate revelation.
• Miami Family Crisis — A family emergency tests the couple's ability to support others and each other.
  • Brother Needs Help — Burt travels to Miami after learning about his brother's separation.
  • Promise Together — Burt and Verona promise to love each other and their daughter.
• Florida Homecoming — Verona's memories transform the search for a home into a return to her family history.
  • Childhood Memory — Verona recalls her old home and the deaths of her parents.
  • Waterfront Resolution — The couple chooses the Florida house and looks forward to their future.

Directed by

Sam Mendes

Key Cast

• John Krasinski — Burt Farlander
• Maya Rudolph — Verona De Tessant
• Carmen Ejogo — Grace De Tessant
• Catherine O'Hara — Gloria Farlander
• Jeff Daniels — Jerry Farlander