The Way Way Back (2013) User Reviews (323)

Don't miss this one

[djp2000 · 8/10 · 17 June 2013]

There are some movies which sound so simple that it's hard to convey to people just how good they are. The Way, Way Back is one of those movies. It's simply a coming-of-age story about a 14-year-old boy over the course of his summer break. There are no big action scenes or special effects here, just really good writing with actors who can bring such a realistic story to life.

The movie begins with the boy, Duncan, riding in a car with his family to his mother's boyfriend's beach house. As the mother sleeps in the passenger seat, the boyfriend asks Duncan to rate himself on a scale of 1 to 10. After replying with a 6, the boyfriend insists that he's just a 3. What's surprising is that this seemingly heartless guy that the mother is dating is played by Steve Carell. Carell is known for playing lovable and funny characters. But he switches it up with this role. That scene sets the tone for how little Duncan is looking forward to this summer trip. And it doesn't help that his mother doesn't really set her boyfriend straight even when she is awake.

To escape the annoyances at his new temporary home, Duncan takes a bike to ride around town with. When he finds a way into the local water park, he meets one of the middle-aged operators there named Owen. Duncan seems fascinated by Owen (played by Sam Rockwell) and how he uses humor in almost everything he says. It seems like he's never met anyone like him who's so worry-free and exudes such confidence all the time. (Sam Rockwell is perfect at playing this care-free kind of man-child.) Owen manages to get Duncan a job at the park where he tries to instill some of that same confidence in him as well. It becomes clear that as they bond with each other, Duncan wishes this would be the kind of guy his mother would date instead. The job at the water park also opens up a whole new fun side that this 14-year-old kid didn't even know he had in him.

If not for the occasional Google or iPad reference, this movie could easily have taken place in the 1980's. The setting as well as the way people dress and talk to each other is right out of an 80's film - is it a coincidence that all of the music played in the movie is from that era? There's a very natural and wholesome vibe to it, especially in the water park scenes - nothing looks too modern or high-tech; it's just a place where people go to have an old-fashioned good time. While Steve Carell may be the most popular name on the poster, the movie has a great cast altogether. Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine), in particular, does an amazing job as the mother torn between defending her son and trying to make things work with the arrogant boyfriend who doesn't always treat them right. But it's the scenes between Duncan and his new older friend Owen that are the heart of the movie. Sometimes it just takes the right person to bring out someone else's true colors and help them be comfortable in their own skin. And sometimes it takes the right movie to make you feel like a kid again. This one will have you yearning for the days when things were a little simpler.

Earnest, Relateable and Endearing - We've All Been Here Before

[drqshadow-reviews · 8/10 · 5 November 2013]

A sweet, funny, earnest coming-of-age dramedy that plays out like a period piece, even though it's set in the present day. Tempering a plucky spirit and subtle, pointed sense of humor with an introverted lead character and a familiar, bittersweet atmosphere, it's a spiritual successor to the John Hughes golden age of the mid-80s. Liam James is beautifully awkward as the quiet, brooding young teenager at the story's epicenter, aided by a thoroughly deep, entertaining supporting cast. No matter how minor, every character enjoys a purpose and a motivation, enriching the scenery and tickling the viewer's curiosity with a tangle of warm, colorful subplots. Steve Carell will get plenty of attention in his unexpected turn as the boy's self-centered douchebag stand-in father, but Sam Rockwell's deeper-than-he-seems burnout splash park manager is the real show stealer. A strong, heartfelt and meaningful return visit to adolescence for anyone who's ever felt out-of-place in their own skin.

Absolutely charming

[shlevine · 8/10 · 14 July 2013]

There's nothing to dislike about this movie. The actors do a terrific job all around--from the scene-stealing eyepatch kid to Allison Janey's lush to Steve Carrell's first role as a d-bag. Kudos to the kid playing Duncan and the guy playing his...boss? mentor? friend? saviour?--or all of the above. The scenery is lovely and convincingly real--no beach McMansions with $6,500 Wolf ranges. It shows what a real beach community looks like. The '70 Buick Estate Wagon is sublime and had me kvelling.

But it's the story that really makes the viewer smile. Duncan is a lost, lonely, mess...14, stuck with his mom whom he loves (but doesn't really respect), her douchebag boyfriend, boyfriend's daughter, and not much else. He finds his way in a way that defines a coming-of-age story. The Water Wizz guy--channeling Bill Murray in Meatballs in an obvious homage--does a great job, never losing sight of his own challenges in life while helping young Duncan emerge from his painful shell.

Really hit home for me

[howard.schumann · 9/10 · 4 August 2013]

"Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing"- Naomi Shihab Nye

Directed and co-written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash who won an Oscar for the Best Adapted Screenplay for The Descendants, The Way Way Back is a warmhearted and beautifully realized teen comedy that is as poignant as it is funny. Though there are more coming-of-age films than references to God in the Bible, very few have really hit home for me as much as this one. Of course, there are the usual complaints from critics about how it "doesn't break any new ground" as if it was a construction site, but to me it felt fresh and alive with real and relatable characters far removed from the stereotypes of most films in this genre.

In the film, 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) is a sullen, withdrawn adolescent whose shaky self-image is not helped by his divorced mother Pam's (Toni Collette) and her obnoxious boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell), or his snippy daughter Steph (Zoe Levin). On the drive to spend the summer at Trent's beach house called "The Riptide," Trent asks him how he would rate himself on a scale of one to ten. Not normally being asked to rate oneself, Duncan might have said "two thumbs up," if he thought about it, but all he can think of to say is a six.

When Trent tells him (calling him Buddy as he does throughout the film as if he has no name) that he thinks he is a three because he doesn't put himself out to people, he might think he is showing some tough love, but the result is that Duncan is pushed deeper into his shell. As Albert Einstein said, "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." At the New England beach house as his mother tries to make everyone happy, Duncan has to deal with adults whose maturity level on a scale of one to ten might be so low as to be off the charts. There is the boozy and off-the-wall neighbor Betty (Allison Janney) as well as Trent's friends Kip and Joan (Robb Corddry and Amanda Peet), all engaging in what Betty calls "Spring break for adults."

To make matters more uncomfortable, Betty's daughter Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb), who is slightly older than Duncan, tries to engage him in conversation but the stoop-shouldered boy is too withdrawn to respond. He is more at ease with Betty's younger son Peter (River Alexander) who is constantly being teased about his unfocused left eye. On one of his frequent bike rides on the pink bike he discovers in the garage, however, Duncan finds a kindred spirit at the Wizz World Water Park in the person of Owen (Sam Rockwell), the park's manager. As are-free and ungrounded as some of the other adults in the film, Owen has one attribute the others lack. He has a terrific sense of humor and takes an interest in the people around him.

These include long-time employee Maya Rudolph (Caitlyn) who had only planned to stay one summer but is drawn back by Owen's charm and wit. Owen also takes an interest in Duncan but it is not the "brother you need help" attitude. He gives him a job at the park's pools and water slides to help boost his self-esteem, a job which neither Trent nor his mother know anything about. Sam Rockwell's performance as Owen is pitch-perfect. Even though his communication with Duncan is mostly full of wisecracks, there is an underlying connection between the two that is not based on need alone. Pure and simple, they like each other and it shows, as does the remarkable chemistry displayed by the entire ensemble cast.

Duncan's transformation happens gradually, however. As he finds himself being accepted by the park's employees, his shoulders begin to straighten out, there is a hint of a smile on his face as well as a new look of confidence. Lian James, a Vancouver actor, not only disappears into the role of Duncan, he is Duncan and his struggle to reconnect with the world he has been estranged from is so honest and painful that we identify with him and want to help him, in Langston Hughes words, "to break his shadow into a thousand lights of sun." As in many great films, The Way Way Back has laughter and tears in equal measure.

Laughter & tears at a water park in Summer...

[UncleShiz · 9/10 · 7 June 2013]

Saw this at the Sydney Film Festival last night and I absolutely loved it. It's heartfelt and very, very funny while remaining subtle and not overdoing either.

It's a story about a teenage boy trying to find a place where he belongs and how no-one's family is perfect. It's about the awkwardness and embarrassment of adolescence and finding friendship.

Sam Rockwell is hilarious in this and the young actor was really, really good too. It was also great to see Steve Carrell play against type. I hated him in this movie so he did a great job.

Go see this movie please! You will laugh and you may cry. I wish there were more movies like this with heart and humour instead of Transformers 47 & Fast & The Furious 95

This movie is not a 3 or a 6!

Very enjoyable

[agmoldham · 7/10 · 29 September 2013]

Having seen a run of fairly forgettable blockbusters it was nice to go along and watch a low budget movie.

The way way back is a coming of age movie and follows shy Duncan on his summer vacation with mother and step dad. I'm sure the relationship between Duncan and parents will be familiar to many people. The good thing about this type of movie is that it focuses more on characters and you get a real sense, feel and empathy for several characters. The cast is strong and in addition to the lead played by Liam James you have the likes of Steve Carell, Toni Collette and Sam Rockwell.

The movie does occasionally get a little too "feel good", but that's a small drawback in what is otherwise a very enjoyable watch. Well worth a watch if you like off beat indie dramas.

A Heartwarming Coming-Of-Age Tale

[CalRhys · 2 April 2016]

In all honesty, I completely loved this film, it is one of the most heartwarming coming-of-age stories of recent years and blends comedy, drama and emotion perfectly. With top notch performances, most notably from Sam Rockwell as the overzealous-yet-lovable waterpark manager Owen and Steve Carrel as the somewhat unexpectedly despicable Trent, both James and Robb also do wonders as the young duo. The film itself has a nice indie feel to it with a fantastic acoustic score, supported by some fine music choices and a generally satisfying story as a whole. A definite must-watch if you enjoy coming-of-age dramas with that hint of heartwarming humour.

A movie to cherish

[Katz5 · 9/10 · 20 July 2021]

I adore this movie. To me, it depicts an awkward age that every introverted kid has to wrestle with, more so than more popular movies like Stand by Me. The main character is Duncan, a sullen, depressed pre-teen who vacations with his divorced mom (Toni Collette) and her obnoxious new man (Steve Carrell, a long way from Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, which came out the previous year). The family heads to Carrell's beach home in an unnamed town that could be near Cape Cod, or somewhere on Long Island.

The other characters appear almost immediately as Carrell drives his station wagon with a "way way back" seat (hence the film's title) into the driveway. Characters tailor made for the comedy stylings of Allison Janey (a lush, totally flirtatious, and not the greatest role model for her children), Rob Corddry (once again playing Carrell's best friend), and Amanda Peet (as Corddry's Mr. Mister-loving current girlfriend).

Without revealing too much of the plot, during the course of the summer, Duncan pulls himself out of his shell, particularly after taking a job at a nearby water park owned by a perpetual slacker named Owen, played by Sam Rockwell, and managed by Owen's one-time girlfriend (Maya Rudolph). Owen becomes a surrogate big brother to Duncan, giving him life lessons while boosting his ego.

This is one of Sam Rockwell's most appealing characters. The talented former actor, who finally has an Oscar, as built a career out of playing weirdos or psychos. You get the feeling by the end of the movie that Owen really loves Duncan as a brother, or even son, and Rockwell's natural performance seals it. He's backed by actor and screenwriter Nate Faxon, who also co-wrote equally charming Alexander Payne comedy/drama "The Descendants," and who was so hilarious as the stoner in "Hamlet 2."

The movie has a mid '70s look and feel to it, and not just because of the car Carrell drives. The beach town is lifted straight from the town in "Jaws," yet the characters have cell phones and iPods - this odd mashing of American beach town eras gives the action in the film a nearly fantastical quality. And every character, including the kids in the film, have some zingers (the slightly older girl next door, daughter of Janney's character and played by AnnaSophia Robb, has a hilarious line about Duncan's love of REO Speedwagon).

A relatively unknown movie that you should seek out and treasure.

Water Wizzdom

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 7 July 2013]

Greetings again from the darkness. OK, before you accuse me of being the world's worst speller, you should know that my title "Water Wizzdom" is a play on words ... the waterpark in the film is known as Water Wizz and Sam Rockwell plays Owen, the man-child mentor to Liam James' Duncan. Duncan is a miserable 14 year old stuck in a beach house with his mom, her obnoxious boyfriend, and his snobby daughter.

Steve Carell plays Trent, the condescending and bullying boyfriend who has no redeeming qualities that we can see (other than the beach house and a nice tan). Duncan's mom is played by Toni Collette, and her character Pam is a divorced, insecure single mom trying to balance her own happiness with that of her teen-angst-filled son. Pam and Duncan are the outsiders in this beach community as we quickly learn when next door neighbor Betty (Allison Janney) shows up with drink in hand and gossip for all.

The well worn movie signs are all here ... we recognize the characters and their struggles, in fact, we all know someone like each of the people that co-writers and co-directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash present to us. We understand quickly that this is yet another coming-of-age tale with mostly clueless adults. Despite that, this one still mostly works. The writing and acting are such high quality that even though we are living in movie cliché-land, we still find ourselves caring about Duncan and Pam, laughing at Owen, and tossing tomatoes at Trent (Carell).

Special recognition to Sam Rockwell. Even though Duncan is the key character, it's Rockwell's Owen who recognizes that a little faith and encouragement goes a long way. Behind the facade of rapid-fire banter and laugh-inducing one-liners, Owen is coming to grips with a life of reality and shattered dreams. While never stooping to the typical Hollywood "win one for the Gipper" speech, Owen manages to instill a bit of confidence in Duncan ... to the point where he refuses to let his mother pretend everything is OK with Trent.

AnnaSophia Robb plays the cute girl-next-door who recognizes potential in Duncan, but the filmmakers never allow this to turn into some ridiculous fairy tale. Instead we get characters who are each flawed, but real and recognizable. While all the typical pieces are present, there is enough crackle to the dialogue and quality acting to help this one rise above the usual muck. It's a nice "little" alternative to the giant summer blockbusters. Nat Faxon and Jim Rash won an Oscar for co-writing The Descendants with Alexander Payne. In their directorial debut, they prove that they also have skills as filmmakers. The next one could be even better!

Way Way to the top of my list as one of the best movies of 2013!

[meeza · 10/10 · 24 July 2013]

I have to go way way back in thinking of a coming-of-age summer comedic movie that made me feel so good, and in doing that the classic "Meatballs" comes to mind. The dynamic duo team of Nat Faxon & Jim Rash have swimmingly perfected a film that homages "Meatballs" and puts a new spin to it, without duplicating it; and that would be in their craft filmmaking of "The Way Way Back". The film stars teen actor Liam James as 14 year-old Duncan who is an isolated teen who despises the idea of taking a summer vacation with his timid mother Pam, her arrogant boyfriend Trent, and Trent's narcissistic daughter Steph. Their vacation spot is at Trent's beach house where nearby has a water park; I will slide into that one a little later in my review. Trent does have a few eccentric neighbors in his beach house which include the lush-filled gabby Betty, a divorcée with three kids; and also the vociferous couple Kip & Joan. Duncan is constantly ridiculed and excluded by Trent and Stephanie which puts him in the perpetual state of "I want to get the f*ck of out of here". However, in a twist of fate, Duncan befriends the vivacious water park employee Owen, perfectly played by Sam Rockwell. Consequently, Duncan starts to regularly visit the water park to hang with Owen and the other water park wacky employees. And before you know it, Duncan plummets himself to a part-time working gig at the park; unknowing to his mom and Trent. Duncan takes flight at the water park and you see the "coming-of-age" turn at every moment in his time there. Owen's character is very reminiscent of the Tripper character (played to the tee by Bill Murray) in "Meatballs". But Rockwell plays the part so superbly that it does not appear to be a Tripper duplication but instead a modern transformation within its Tripper homage; tripped out yet? Duncan also befriends Betty's teen daughter Susanna, who empathizes with Duncan's situation in dealing with a callous potential stepdaddy. Faxon & Rash's masterful direction & screenplay of "The Way Way Back" was not dead on the water; in fact- the vitality, humor, and tenderness they brought to the movie's direction & screenplay should hopefully land them in the wave of Oscar contenders for Best Director & Best Original Screenplay. As far as the thespian pool of the picture, I must state that it was a perfect ensemble. James showed potentiality that he will be on his way back to other leading roles with his fine work as Duncan. Steve Carell's performance as Trent showed the depth to his acting by playing a part non-typical to the Carell filmography; Trent was sure one heartless bastard, and Carell disappeared into the role. Toni Collette was spic & spam in her role as Duncan's mom Pam. Faxon & Rash themselves were a hoot playing two water park employees, Roddy and Lewis. Other supporting turns that were no lazy river works were of Anna Sophia Robb as Susanna, Rob Corddry & Amanda Peet who we had fun with as Kip & Joan, and Maya Rudolph as water park manager Caitlin; and I would be remiss if I did not mention the standout, scene-stealing performance from Allison Janney as the wickedly-hilarious Betty. Be it as it may, it was still Rockwell that stole the show here. His work in "The Way Way Back" should slide him into a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. "The Way Way Back" is a gem of a movie, and I hope it does not land "way way back" in your "movies to see" list; if for no better reason, you will be delaying time in missing one heck of a flick. ***** Excellent

This family won't blend well

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 17 June 2018]

The Way Way Back has Toni Collette and her son Liam James going on a summer beach vacation with the guy she's seeing Steve Carrell and his daughter Zoe Levin. It is apparent right awaythat this family will not blend well like the Bradys did. Carrell for instance really seems to enjoy putting down the very shy and socially awkward James. He's a real lout, but possibly Collette figures she can't do any better. Levin too puts James down and resents having to have him tag along and intrude in her social life.

It doesn't look like it will be a happy summer vacation for James. But then he falls in with Sam Rockwell who runs a water slide ride. Rockwell is a free spirited type and if he doesn't develop full confidence in himself, James does come out of his shell.

I'm agreeing with others who say this reminiscent of those John Waters films from the 80s. Liam James and Sam Rockwell have a great chemistry together and their scenes are special.

Funniest scene is Rockwell dealing with a human kid logjam in his water slide. He uses his own special brand of drain cleaner to take care of the problem.

This one's a good family film and Liam James is a real find.

My Review with *Spoilers*

[voiceactivatedboy · 8/10 · 25 January 2013]

*Spoilers* *Spoilers* I just watched this film last night at Sundance, and it's great! Hopefully it doesn't take too long for the film to be distributed, as I read that the film was purchased by Fox Searchlight for nearly 10 million. It reminded me a lot of "Adventureland" in its tone and feel, but it's a little more family-friendly, and it definitely is a PG-13 movie for those that were wondering.

The film focuses on Liam James character Duncan, a quiet, anti-social teen dealing with the recent divorce of his parents. His father has since relocated to San Diego with a younger girlfriend, and despite his desire to stay with his father for the summer, he ends up having to go with his mom and her boyfriend to spend the summer at her boyfriend's beach house. You come to understand that Duncan's mom Pam (Toni Collette) is aware of her boyfriend Trent's (Steve Carrell) wandering eye, but she is enamored by his charm, and maybe more so by the need for companionship and security. Duncan makes no effort to hide his disdain for Trent, who belittles his social skills, and later in the film goes so far as to tell him he is unwanted by his own father. Trent chastises Duncan about building mutual respect and trust, and yet he is banging his best friend's wife Joan (Amanda Peet),a fellow summer home yuppie. You later find out through dialog between Joan and Trent, that their little trysts seem to be a regular summer tradition.

Duncan is looking for any way out of the situation, or at least how he can spend as much time as possible away from Trent, Trent's own teenage daughter, and their friends. He sparks up a nice friendship with Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb), a teenage girl mature beyond her years, who has grown tired of Trent's daughter and the other arrogant, shallow teenagers she is forced to hang out with at the beach all summer. She gets Duncan to open up to her a little bit, and acts as a channel of relief for Duncan away from the people he despises.

The real magic within the film is the relationship between Duncan and Owen (Sam Rockwell),a middle-aged operator of a water park within the resort town, who also comes from a troubled past and a strained relationship with his own father. Owen uses his humor and confidence to try and instill the same in Duncan, and provides Duncan with not just a summer job to get him away from the beach house, but also an environment where he can learn to be outgoing and build a number of friendships. Owen knows that Duncan has trouble at home, but is careful not to pry too much, until he can see that Duncan really needs someone he can open up to. The three quirky water park employees aside from Owen that the movie focuses on are played by Maya Rudolph, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash.

I knew it was a drama with some comedic elements, but the interesting thing about this film, is that you would assume some of the funnier moments would come from the likes of Steve Carrell and Maya Rudolph. They, however, bring more of the dramatic elements to the film, with Steve Carrell playing the dirt bag boyfriend of Toni Collette, and Maya Rudolph (Caitlyn) a water park employee who is facing a mid-life crisis of sorts. She had planned on working at the water park for one summer, but is now in her fourth year there, and is starting to second guess herself and the time she has invested in the park.

Caitlyn is continually frustrated by the park manager's lackadaisical attitude and laid-back nature, but like many of the longtime employees there, she is continually drawn back by the prevalent family culture and the friendships she has formed while working at the park. The water park operator is played with charm, wit, and panache by Sam Rockwell, who has long been one of my favorite actors, and provides many of the funny and heart-wrenching moments of the film.

Most of the other big laughs come from Betty (Allison Janney), who is the slightly eccentric and sexually-repressed neighbor of Steve Carrell's character. She has a socially deprived son with a lazy eye named Peter (River Alexander), and the relationship between Betty and Peter provide some of the lighter moments in the film. There are also a couple of great moments when Duncan takes Peter to the water park to meet his co-workers, and helps Peter gain some new found confidence of his own.

I'll leave the ending out of my review, but I think you will find it heartfelt and satisfying to say the least. This film is highly recommended.

Ultimate Coming of Age Tale

[Miroslav-27 · 6/10 · 7 August 2021]

The Way Way Back makes you suffer through some terribly uncomfortable moments, but you feel like it was all worth it in the end. It's a coming-of-age tale through and through with Liam James playing the incredibly awkward and angsty teenager perfectly. The real star though is Sam Rockwell. He plays one of the most lovable characters I've ever seen in cinema. He's funny, relatable, immature but mature at the same, and he's the type of friend and father figure we all needed at some point in our lives. In a seemingly underrated career, this is another great performance by Rockwell, one that is sure to make you laugh out loud on multiple occasions.

High Expectations, Very Disappointed

[filmguyCI · 4/10 · 21 July 2013]

When I heard about this film, it became a must see. The creators of Little Miss Sunshine? Steve Carrell and Toni Collette? A feel good coming of age story? What would not be to like? Basic plot, a 14 year old boy spends the summer with his mother (Toni Collette) and her obnoxious boyfriend (Steve Carrell) at his beach house. In order to escape his misery, he gets a job at a local water park where Owen (Sam Rockwell), the outrageous water park manager with a big heart takes him under his wing and helps him out of his shell. The plot is a lot like "Meatballs," one of my favorite films of the 70s. That may have been the problem for me. Sam Rockwell's characterization is so much like Bill Murray's that he should be arrested for stealing a performance.

The young boy portraying Duncan completely overplays the role. Duncan is so socially withdrawn and awkward that one would think that there was some level of autism going on. I found it hard to warm up to this character.

Plot holes run through the whole movie. We are to believe that Duncan is working every day at this water park and his mother doesn't even question where he is. When Owen, a grown man, drives him home for the first time, his mother casually questions "who is this friend of yours who drives?" and doesn't say another word about it.

There are other characters and plot lines that are never fully developed. Maya Rudolph plays Owen's boss. The two had a relationship that went south. This is mentioned in one scene and never explored further despite the fact that there seemed to be ongoing feeling between the two. There is also an ongoing joke about a neighborhood kid with a lazy eye that becomes a running gag despite it not being particularly funny.

I'm not getting all the glowing reviews. Maybe my expectations were too high. But another "Little Miss Sunshine" this is definitely not.

A thoughtful, very funny teen flick that adults enjoy even more.

[TheSquiss · 29 August 2013]

The Way Way Back is marketed as a thoughtful, funny teen flick but, though it is thoughtful, funny and co-stars a couple of teens, the younger audience members shuffled and whispered as if bored, while the belly laughs and satisfied smiles came almost entirely from the 'more mature' audience members. It's not that this is an adult film but so many references require a certain level of life experience or simply that the audience was 'there' at a particular time. Like the blank-faced children queuing for the water chute during the superb Holding out For a Hero scene, it makes little sense for those who never sang along to Bonnie Tyler but tickles the funny bones of almost everyone over the age of 35.

The Way Way Back is a gentle coming of age comedy about the world Duncan (Liam James) has been thrust into. His divorced mum, Pam (Toni Collette), has shacked up with Trent (Steve Carell), forcing Duncan to deal with the absence of his father, the domineering, judgmental disdain of Trent and the withering stares of Trent's bitchy daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin). Dragged off to Trent's summer vacation home, Duncan endures humiliation and misery until he meets Owen (Sam Rockwell), the manger of the Water Wizz water park, who approaches life in his own manner and sees in Duncan what he cannot find in himself. And then there's the girl next door, Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb), and her mum, Betty (Allison Janney)…

It takes a while for The Way Way Back to really kick in. I knew I wanted to enjoy it, and nothing really prevented that from happening, but it felt half a beat off the pace. Then, about twenty minutes in, something sparked and the investment for the first quarter became worthwhile. Just as Duncan evolves into someone a little less awkward, a little more confident than the alien he feels himself to be in his world, so The Way Way Back develops into a heartwarming tale of angst, the reality of life and second chances. And it steps beyond 'quietly amusing' into 'very funny'.

The principal reasons The Way Way Back works are Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, the partnership that won an Oscar for writing The Descendants and have earned themselves loyal fan bases individually as actors, Rash particularly as Dean Pelton in Community. While The Way Way Back doesn't quite have the edge of The Descendants, it is still a tender, thoughtful visitor that carries a hidden knife to jab into your ribs when required. For anyone who couldn't wait to leave home and adolescence far behind and found exciting possibilities in their summer jobs, this is a film with enough references to make you smile and belly laugh in solidarity and complete understanding.

At the centre of The Way Way Back is James' Duncan. It's not a star-making performance that tugs at us like, say, Paul Dano's Dwayne in the supreme Little Miss Sunshine (which also starred Carell and Collette) but his character development is steady rather than breathtaking and we buy into him. He's odd but we like him because of that. This is no 'ugly duckling turning beautiful' hogwash but a considered performance from an actor who has inhabited his on-screen persona completely.

Collette is on fairly safe territory here as the mixed-up mum who is holding it together and hoping for the best but papering over the cracks with tissue. As her boyfriend, however, Carell is on superb form. There are many expletives and mild obscenities one could use to describe Trent but Carell avoids the pitfalls of making him purely evil. Trent isn't so much cruel as quietly unpleasant. Perhaps he even believes he is genuinely helping when he asks Duncan, "On a scale of one to ten, what do you think you are?" before crushing the teenager with his own damning, contrary assessment of him. This is a Carell we are rarely allowed to see but I sincerely hope he extends his range and gives us the dark side more often.

Rockwell is at his best here. Forget the overcooked oddball of Seven Psychopaths, he is on sincere form as the man who has never quite left his own youth and understands what really matters more than any of the other adults around Duncan. Rockwell has proved to be a versatile actor (compare his turns in Welcome to Collinwood, The Green Mile and Matchstick Men for a start) who adds a quirky tangent to most films. His Owen is not simply played for laughs but with honesty and sincerity.

On the periphery are some solid and amusing supporting performances from the likes of Rob Corddry and Amanda Peet as the neighbours, Kip and Joan, and Janney as the lush next door, but scenes are stolen frequently by Rash as the camp, dour Lewis, an kiosk attendant with no customers and no escape. Brilliant! The Way Way Back is far from perfect but, after the initial lacklustre, I enjoyed it immensely and laughed aloud. If you heeded my advice and enjoyed last year's Safety Not Guaranteed, add this to your viewing list. It's not quite a gem but it's worth taking a chance on a movie that flies because of some very, very funny delivery of superbly written dialogue.

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Great movie, great actors & a great message. I highly recommend this. One of the best movies of the year. I give it an A.

[cosmo_tiger · 9/10 · 18 October 2013]

"No patterns on my quarter, cut your own path." Duncan is a shy teenager who is stuck in a summer with his mom and her new boyfriend Trent (Carell). Duncan has no self esteem and when he leaves one day he ends up at a water park where he meets Owen (Rockwell) and finds himself. This is a very very funny and touching movie that all teens with low esteem should watch. This is a very different part for Carell and he does do a great job in this. As likable as Carell is you really hate him in this movie. This is also another movie that continues the trend of the lower budget movies being much much better then the big tent-pole movies that are being released. This is kind of hard to review since the movie is really nothing more then a kid gaining confidence over a summer but it feels like so much more then that. The kid that plays Duncan is great and Sam Rockwell is perfect in this. A great movie with great actors and a great message. A real must see. I highly recommend this. Overall, one of the best movies of the year. I give it an A.

Uplifting

[magnuslhad · 9/10 · 23 August 2021]

Fourteen-year-old Duncan has to spend summer at the beach house of Trent, the surly new boyfriend of his mother. With Trent's daughter treating his like trash stuck to her shoe, and a boozy neighbor trying to have him babysit her 10-year-old son, Duncan finds an escape in the local water park. Manager Owen befriends Duncan and mentors him through some teenage rites of passage.

These are familiar themes and storylines, but it is all done with such charm and humanity that the film wins you over. The opening scene, with Trent verbally bullying Duncan, sets the tone for Duncan's suffering. Duncan's journey from awkward, silent pubescent to angry young man ready to go toe-to-toe with Trent hits all the right emotional notes. The jokes are funny, the heart-warming bits avoid sentimentality, and Sam Rockwell, Toni Collette and Steve Carrell all put in exemplary performances. It doesn't all work - there is a slightly clunky dance sequence where Duncan "earns" the nickname pop-n-lock. But most of it works, and works well. I laughed, I cried, which is just what I want from a film like this. It's a feel-good film that I find myself going back to in successive summers.

The Kid Is Alright

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 3 January 2014]

I remember seeing My Bodyguard about a hundred years ago. The focus of that film is a young kid with little self esteem who is getting kicked around by his classmates. This led to a series of movies that had the premise that there were nasty guys around whose sole reason for existence was to bully some poor kid (Chris Makepiece/Ralph Machio). Ultimately, there was some person who had fallen from grace or led an unconventional, perhaps childlike existence, who offered "the way" to success. Most of them lived lives, distancing themselves from the establishment, attracting young people because they are really 40 year old peers. In this case we have a young man whose mother is engaged to Steve Carrel who is a complete ass. Carrel's character is verbally abusive and belittling to the young man. He offers little as a father figure. He is full of himself, pompous and has an opinion about everything. Naturally, the main character finds solace in the adult/child who works at a water park. The story is simplistic and heartwarming (not in a bad way). It's a decent diversion though no great shakes.

Sam Rockwell at his best

[jace_the_film_guy · 9/10 · 18 September 2022]

The Way Way Back is the most surprised that I have been by a film in a long time. On the surface, it is a typical coming of age story: a socially awkward teen spends the summer somewhere he doesn't want to be, with people he doesn't like. Fortunately, this movie is much more than the simple premise.

The plot is believable, the casting is perfect (especially Alison Janney and Sam Rockwell) and the writing produces an incredible emotional pull. I laughed, I cried and I felt a deep connection to the characters.

Sam Rockwell's Owen is in my top 10 list of most personable and engaging characters in film. He is a flawed individual, but he has an infectious ability to make others feel loved. I left the film wishing more people were like him, and wanting to be more like him myself.

The excellence of this film lies in the clear vision by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon (writers/directors). They acknowledged the characters' faults, they allowed the awkward moments to last just long enough, and they provided a vulnerability often forgotten in film. With a subtle, yet poignant third act payoff, this film has become an instant favorite.

Additional Note: The "someone who doesn't know you" and "a good friend of the three" scenes are all-timers!

Very heart warming

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 12 April 2014]

Duncan (Liam James) is perpetually miserable teen and his mother Pam (Toni Collette) has a mean-spirited overbearing boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell). They and his bitchy daughter are going to his summer cottage for the season. On the way there Trent asks Duncan what number he is from 0 to 10. Duncan replies with a safe 6, and Trent tells him that he's just a 3. This is based on a real incident from writer/director Jim Rash's life as he and Nat Faxon create a dysfunctional family vacation and self discovery.

The start of the movie is very miserable due to mostly Duncan's miserable life. I like the mostly 80s motif in this worn out vacation spot. Once Owen (Sam Rockwell) comes into the movie, it picks up emotionally. The water park is a relief. The audience is finally allowed to find joy. Sam Rockwell makes this movie good with his performance. It's a very heart warming movie with some good jokes.

Awesome awesome flick

[brett-76260 · 9/10 · 2 October 2021]

This really was such a good movie. Sam Rockwell delivers again as well as the entire cast. If you have a chance to see this, sit down and enjoy a fun movie. Easily one of the better movies I've seen in a while. I will definitely watch this again...

The Way Way Back

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 23 April 2020]

Nat Faxon and Jim Rash won an Oscar for being two of the co writers of The Descendants.

Both have written and directed The Way Way Back about an introverted teenager who comes out of his shell on an extended summer break to a small town near Cape Cod.

Duncan (Liam James) is 14 years old shy and insecure. His divorced mother Pam (Toni Collette) her condescending boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell) who is a jerk and Trent's stuck up daughter Steph (Zoe Levin) all come to stay at a guest house.

Duncan strikes up a friendship with happy go lucky water park manager Owen (Sam Rockwell.) Duncan gets a job at the water park and quickly becomes one of the team. His mother and Trent fail to notice the changes in Duncan who is upset that Trent is cheating on his mum.

This is a quirky comedic coming of age film. It is not earth shattering original. It has too many cliched characters but is a lot of fun thanks to Rockwell's performance.

Echoes of "The Flamingo Kid", "Meatballs" and "Adventureland". Rockwell steals the movie.

[george.schmidt · 8/10 · 16 July 2013]

THE WAY,WAY BACK (2013) *** Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Liam James, Rob Corddry, Amanda Peet, River Alexander, Zoe Levin, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash. Summer vacation coming-of-age comedy with mopey teen James forced to stay with his mom and her jerk boyfriend for the season and makes the most of it by discovering a new life at the local water park. With a fine ensemble cast (including writers/novice-directing team Faxon and Rash) the film coasts on its breezy screenplay and fun field day run by Rockwell (getting in touch with his inner Bill Murray/Walter Matthau) as the slacker employee who befriends the kid but the tenuous tension by the abrasive miscasting of Carell sinks the possibility of a dramedy (or even a real moment of James getting even with the jerk stepfather-wannabe). Echoes of "The Flamingo Kid", "Meatballs" and "Adventureland".

Sweet, charming, entertaining movie

[grantss · 7/10 · 25 May 2014]

Sweet, charming, entertaining movie.

Not overly profound or overly mentally taxing, but it works. Quirky, feel-good plot. Some good comedic moments too.

Good relationship and human drama. You can relate to all of the characters.

Decent performances from a star-studded cast. For once Steve Carell plays the bad guy, and plays him pretty straight. Sam Rockwell maybe overdoes the quips and non-seriousness a bit too much, but that is probably more the fault of the script.

Good performance by Liam James in essentially the lead role (even though he doesn't get top billing).

Great soundtrack too: the songs are perfect for the movie.

Did I see the same film as most of the reviewers?

[iraz · 4/10 · 8 October 2013]

What fun would it be if we all agreed about the films we see? Well, we don't have to worry about that however I was surprised by the amount of positive reviews listed here. I went through the first three or four ages and read only one negative review. Well, here's another one! I gave the film a four because the acting was good and Sam Rockwell stole the film with his performance.

The problem I had was that I did not emotionally connect with any of the characters nor the story and found the film predictable and not all that interesting. Based on the reviews I read, I expected something special and got an ordinary story I've seen many times. I could have turned the film off at any point without feeling that I was missing anything. The comedy portion was lacking and the drama was very plain. I think there have been so many poor films released that a so-so film has become more than it would normally be. I'm sure most people will disagree with me, but I had to include my two cents.