Shortly after their success with their Oscar winning script
for The Decedents, Jim Rash and Nat
Faxon wrote and directed comedy-drama The Way, Way
Back. The Way, Way Back again
looks into family dysfunction through a somewhat routine coming-of-age story.
The film centres around Duncan (Liam James), a fourteen year old who is once
again spending the summer on a quiet coastal town. With Duncan is his mother
(Toni Collet), her new overbearing and arrogant boyfriend Trent (Steve Carrel),
as well as Trent’s distant, teenage daughter.
Duncan struggles through lectures from Trent and his own
introversion and solitude. Soon Duncan stumbles upon a dilapidated waterpark
and begins secretly working there. Waterpark manager, Owen (Sam Rockwell) is a
fun-loving and mischievous character and soon becomes a mentor and father
figure to Duncan. Owen encourages Duncan to come out of his shell and enjoy his
youthfulness more. While Duncan and Owen’s relationship progresses, Duncan also
develops a relationship with a standard girl next-door character Susanna
(AnnaSophia Robb).
The Way, Way Back
follows Duncan’s summer as he experiences typical teen struggles, most notably
tension with his mother’s boyfriend, struggles in his love life and general
discomfiture and awkwardness. While the themes evident in this comedy-drama are
fairly routine and predictable, the movie still has a certain appeal and
magnetism, allowing it to be an enjoyable watch. Performances are solid from
all cast members, however comedic acts from Rockwell as well as Allison Janney
(a frivolous, well-oiled neighbour) work to prevent the movie from becoming a mundane coming-of-age
story. Overall, The Way, Way Back was
an enjoyable, if cliché, film.
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