Here's a road movie, with what is essentially a plot, that takes its time - just like its lovable, bumbling characters do.

"Away We Go" is about a couple's search for the American Dream - or at least what the American Dream means to them. Director Sam Mendes has helmed a drama with funny characters rather than a comedy that takes itself seriously. And even though some of the screenplay's characters are in despair, the film never reaches as far into the darkness as Mendes' "Revolutionary Road" did.

That doesn't mean it's family fare - it's strictly for grownups. We meet the two leads, Burt Farlander (John Krasinski, television's "The Office") and Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph, television's "Saturday Night Live") during an intimate moment. Soon, Verona finds out she is pregnant.

The two have no plans to marry, but they want to raise their baby together. They take their sonogram pictures and visit his parents (Jeff Daniels and Catherine O'Hara), who announce that they're finally moving overseas as they have planned for many years.

Both Verona and Burt are shocked, but then they discuss alternatives. Maybe they can bring the baby up around other friends or relatives who will provide some support. Each makes a living outside a permanent office, so they can be as flexible as they like.

So off they go, across the continent, to renew acquaintances and find a new home. The search locales include Madison, Wis., Tucson, Ariz., Phoenix, Montreal and Miami. As they continue their journey, the future parents realize that they, too, must face the prospect of growing up. Now in their 30s, they have been living as though they were in college. With a baby on the way, they need to make some decisions pretty quickly.

Each reunion seems to offer more offensive and/or suffering characters than the prior one. Verona's ex-supervisor (Allison Janney) has turned into foul-mouthed drunkard who berates and horrifies her children and husband. Burt's so-called cousin (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a flaky hippie type who will allow no shoes or strollers in her home. And Burt's brother (Paul Schneider) is at a loss because his wife has left him without a word.

There are no action sequences (well, I guess there is a brief one involving a child and a stroller), so this is an offbeat film during a summer of high-intensity shoot-'em-ups and chases.

It's a nice leisurely getaway for grownups who enjoy character studies.