The cast is wonderful, and writer/directors Jim Rash and Nat Faxon do a great job of tapping into the universally relatable joys and struggles of youth. 'The Way Way Back' doesn't break any new ground, but its funny and touching story hits all the right comedic and emotional beats. Hell, he's actually so good that I'm starting to think that his nice guy persona might be the real act. The usually instantly likeable actor has to play against type here, and Carell does a fantastic job of portraying a real jerk. Of course, special mention must really go to Steve Carell. The rest of the ensemble is great as well, with fun turns from Allison Janney, Rob Corddry, Maya Rudolph, Toni Collette, and Anna Sophia Robb as every teenager's ideal dream girl next door. His effortless charisma is endearing and the friendship that forms between the stunted adult and his young protégé is heartfelt and amusing. Sam Rockwell is also fantastic as the hilarious slacker water park manager who helps Duncan find his way. The part could have easily come across as too affected or low key, but James totally nails it making it easy to root for him. In fact, most of the time he really doesn't even look like he's acting, and instead the young performer simply comes across as a totally natural and utterly awkward teenager, fully conveying Duncan's "deer in headlights" insecurity and youthful frustrations. Thankfully, actor Liam James has absolutely no trouble selling his character's frequent embarrassment and timid cluelessness.
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Similarly, Duncan's early journey toward confidence comes across as a bit too easy and lighthearted, and just a few more obstacles and setbacks would have helped give the movie a little more bite and realism. The writers lovingly adhere to certain comparatively broad clichés, clearly demonstrating great admiration for previous flicks of this type, but in many ways the film might have actually been better off distancing itself a little more from what came before. This is particularly true of some of the water park bits, and while these silly antics are staples of the genre, they actually feel a little out of place here. With that said, in a few instances the comedy does occasionally veer toward a slightly cartoonish tone.
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At its best, the movie's blend of relatable humiliation and teenage insight starts to evoke the likes of Paul Feig and Judd Apatow's wonderful series 'Freaks and Geeks,' and there's a genuine sense of authenticity to the humor and conflicts, especially when the line between the two starts to blur - including during one of the most tense games of Candy Land to ever hit the screen. Culling from several of their own past experiences, the writers fuel sharp comedy and affecting drama through childhood embarrassment, trauma, and even a bit of triumph. While this does admittedly make the script feel a bit too familiar at times, the filmmakers inject enough of their own unique personality into the proceedings to make it all seem fresh. Serving as a kind of throwback to classic 80s coming-of-age films and teen summer flicks, the movie has a fun old school sensibility and an amusing air of nostalgia. But as the pressures of his home life take a tumultuous turn, Duncan's newfound happiness is put in jeopardy. When he offers Duncan a summer job, the meek adolescent starts to come out of his shell and finds new confidence. At first, the awkward teenager has trouble fitting in, but he eventually befriends a sarcastic and carefree adult, Owen (Sam Rockwell), who works at a local water park. Heart-warming, funny, and lovingly cringe-worthy at the same time, this is a sweet and effortlessly entertaining little film that is guaranteed to bring back memories - both joyful and mortifying.ĭuncan (Liam James), a shy fourteen year old boy, is forced to tag along with his Mother (Toni Colette) and her arrogant boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell) when they head off to a beach house for the summer. Hollywood is home to a long line of such flicks, and with 'The Way Way Back,' writer/directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash offer a rather inspired and wonderfully enjoyable new addition to the pack. Through the memories of our own mutual humiliation and requisite growing pains, comes a kind of universal kinship and understanding, helping to make teenage coming-of-age stories so irresistibly appealing. Likewise, there are also very few things as relatable, humorous, nostalgic, and ultimately life-affirming. There are very few things in this world as painful, embarrassing, and utterly confusing as the sheer awkwardness of adolescence.
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