The Way Way Back

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.

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.

Very Little Miss Sunshine meets Juno meets Adventureland. But the light version of all them. And without the originality.

Which is just a needlessly complicated way of saying it's good, but held back a little by the cliché turns it takes. Especially towards the ending.

It's certainly very inde in its presentation (visual language and choice of music) and hits all the generic beats, but luckily never bends over backwards in favor of becoming an full-on cheesefest.

Overall a pretty commendable effort from Rash and Faxon. Nice to see. Low-key feelgood vibes. With a sweet ending.

This movie is like a friend you can take to any kind of social gathering because how much of a good dude they are and everyone will feel genuinely comfortable around them. It's a great movie to watch with the whole family, without it being too safe or happy-go-lucky to be bland.

It's cast very well and Sam Rockwell stood out the most to me.

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.

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.