The Way, Way Back
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Reviewed by Tami Smith (Guest Reviewer)
Written and Directed by: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Cast: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Liam James, Allison Janney, Amanda Peet, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell,
Screened at : Fox, NYC, 7/2/13
Opens: July 5, 2013
We all remember the unpleasant side effects that accompany the growing up years of twelve to sixteen. Our bodies and brains are forming and maturing fast yet legally we are just “kids”. Unable to do what we want and when we want it, we are at the mercy of our legal guardians. Do the wrong thing and you are lectured at, “grounded”, maybe slapped on the face or worse.
Such is the case of Duncan (Liam James), a fourteen-year old son of divorced Pam (Toni Collette). The first time we meet Duncan he is travelling by car, with his back to the driver. The latter is Trent (Steve Carell) Pam’s boyfriend, an arrogant man that takes advantage of every occasion to insult and put down Duncan, and why not? Duncan can’t talk back since he is a guest at Trent’s vacation home and was brought there against his will. Things do not work well for Duncan as he is introduced to Betty (Allison Janney), an overly-tanned chatty next door neighbor, also Joan (Amanda Peet) and Kip (Rob Corddry) friends of Trent. This assortment of characters acts ridiculously practically laughing at Duncan and telling him to go and “have fun and make some friends”. Even the younger generation considers him a dork, since he does not fit in either on the grassy land or in the splashing water. What will change Duncan’s life in this “forced-vacation” town is his introduction to Owen (Sam Rockwell), a Water-Park manager who always cracks jokes and treats Duncan like an equal.
The Way Way Back is an excellent ensemble piece with casting done by Allison Jones. Liam James plays Duncan silently at first, though his desperate expressions cry out for help. Steve Carell as Trent plays the perfect jerk-boyfriend that is ready to “settle down” and get married, while enjoying some extra-marital sex on the side. Toni Collette plays Pam, a recently divorced mom, who wants to have a complete family, while willing to overlook some cheating by her partner. Her expressions, a mix of forced smiles and sadness, are spontaneous, bring this complex character to life. Sam Rockwell plays Owen with a perfect comic pitch. He is the best friend/advisor we wish we had while growing up. Directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash do an excellent job of directing by bringing this script to life in a funny but not over-the-top way.
Filmed in Marshfield, Massachusetts and Boston’s South Shore, with many beach goers who play “extras” The Way Way Back is an enjoyable and heartfelt comedy-drama piece, just perfect for the indie crowd.
Story – B+
Acting – A-
Technical – B
Overall – B+
