The Way Way Back (2013)

"The Way Way Back" isn't a horrible movie. It isn't nearly a classic, either. What puts it firmly in the middle ground is how the film teases with what looks to be an interesting premise, but then can't decide what it wants to be.For a basic plot summary, this movie tells the story of Duncan (Liam James), who is spending the summer with his mother (Toni Collette) and her new boyfriend (Steve Carell). While his mother can't see that her new beau may not be right for her, Duncan picks up on it right away, and as a result wants to spend as little time as possible "hanging around". As such, his summer is spent working under the mentorship of Owen (Sam Rockwell) at the local waterpark, as well as puzzling over the mysterious and beautiful neighbor girl Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb).As I said in the opening, I think that the main problem with "The Way Way Back" is that directors Nat Faxon & Jim Rash just can't decide what they want this movie to feel like. On one hand, it tries to be a "teen screwball coming-of-age" movie (especially with all the waterpark stuff), but that is the weakest material. On the other hand, it could have been more of a serious drama, but that tone isn't present whatsoever (until perhaps the very end, when it clearly becomes obvious that it was not earned by any meaningful character development). Instead, "Way Way Back" just sort of lands in the middle.For this movie to have really shined, I think a couple of things would have had to happen (besides the obvious settling on a tone):-We would need more development within Duncan's new family, which the "screwball" sections of the film really crowd out. Largely, the movie relies on stereotypes or well-worn character paths (overbearing stepfather, Mother too swept away to notice, etc.) to build drama, so it is no wonder that it falls a bit flat in the end.-Robb's character is severely underutilized. She spends nearly the entire movie in various bikinis (so it is pretty obvious what her purpose was), but once again her character's presence doesn't add up to much in the end. When she gives Duncan a kiss, it doesn't feel "earned" at all based on what we've seen previously (all awkward conversations and scenarios). Susanna could have been a "sexual awakening" character for Duncan, or she could of been a confident of sorts (her family is going through divorce issues as well). I never really felt the character lived up to either billing.So, while "The Way Way Back" is a perfectly acceptable fun summer movie, I can't give it any higher than middle-of-the-road marks because of the odd tone and waffling genres. To me, it needed to "pick a lane" (coming-of-age drama or screwball teen goof-off) and stay within it, as the melding of the two yielded rather odd results.

Yuck! This movie was so bad, I turned it off half way through. What a snore! The characters were all completely cliché - not at all unique, interesting, funny, witty, deep, ANYTHING! What was with the mother in this movie? It's like she didn't even notice how unhappy her son was (or didn't care)...and Steve Carrel's character? Completely unlikable - how unusual for Steve Carrel who, although usually nerdy and clueless, is at least likable! The guy at the water park who befriends the young boy? Okay...weird.....the girlfriend? I don't even remember her, that's what a nothing impression she made on me.Where was the humor...the HUMANITY to this movie? I could make SIMS characters seem more full of life than these flat 2-dimensional characters! And what was with the pedophile pervert at the Water Wiz park, and why has NO ONE else mentioned this????? There is a young teenage girl wearing a way too small bikini standing in front of this ADULT man at the water park, and then, suddenly, as if we are following the gaze of this gross perv, the camera does a disturbingly SLOW climb up this young girl's (practically) naked body! (I know..I'm probably going to get young guys to watch the movie now because of what I'm saying,but I'm really addressing other adults and parents and yea, GIRLS out there in the world who don't agree with blatant objectification)! What kind of disgusting pervert even made this movie???? Anyway, so after THAT, I felt repulsed and turned the movie off. I HIGHLY DO NOT RECOMMEND WATCHING THIS CARDBOARD TRASH that masquerades as some sort of "refreshing adolescent coming-of-age summer flick." DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!! (And Steve Carrel...how could you)?

I'd never heard of The Way, Way Back, but, I'd just watched (again) Muriel's Wedding, and I'm on a Toni Collette exploration.I'm so happy to have found this little gem.It's the story of many of us - the ones now (wrongfully) labeled as having 'Asperger's Syndrome,' when in fact, we're just shy, and a bit award, but, we really are just ..like... young teenagers.Most Hollywood films about teens and summer feature either incredibly 'mature-looking' adolescents, or, - as is usually the case - 20-somethings, pretending.This film doesn't have pretending, it comes from an honest place, where, we're not the teen god, with chiseled abs, nor, are we the blonde Aphrodite, in a string bikini, either of whom, in Hollywood's films of the past decade, or so, readily have sex, drink, and, as far as their totally incorrect reality, no one has problems, no one has responsibilities.No one has emotions, other than to feel 'good.'The Way, Way Back begins with our stand-in, Duncan, a young teen, about 14, who's very quietly sitting in the furthest back of the station wagon, his mother's boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carrell) is driving to his summer beach house in Massachusetts. Very quickly, we 'get' what the dynamics are; Duncan's mom (Toni Colette), Pam, is been in a relationship with Trent, a divorced father.Duncan has been at logger-heads with Trent, who is coming off - not only way to early, but, much more than he should - as an over-bearing, 'father' to Duncan.This is the first big 'real test' of how this possibly co-mingled family would function, and, before they even arrive at the house, Duncan's dislike of Trent is readily apparent.Once they arrive, Trent's daughter - a blonde girl, who looks much older than her emotionally immature personality should look - has made her dislike of Duncan clear to everyone, when, after she's told to let Duncan go to the beach with her, she complains, and tells Duncan; 'just don't die.'She's a real charmer.We meet the 'wacky' and severely alcoholic house neighbour, Betty (Allison Janney), who's the perfect example of what horrors can happen when a parent tries to be their kids 'friend,' rather than what they need; someone to nurture them, and to teach them.Betty has 2 kids, one is her daughter, Susanna, a very pretty young lady, who at first, we think is like Trent's daughter, but, is in fact, a hurt soul, as well, and someone who's had to raise herself, in absence of her mother. Betty also has an older son, Charlie, who's muscular surfer body, and physical maturity puts him partially into the 'adult' crowd, but, it's his business - selling pot (and whatever) to Betty and her friends, that gets him in with them.Duncan's so isolated, and with every fake 'caring' effort from Trent, only wedges these two apart, that Duncan starts to ride around on a girl's bike he found - just to get away.He soon ends up at Water Wizz, a water-ride playground, 'managed' by Sam Rockwell, who's the first adult who shows an effort to get Duncan out of his shell, and is someone who really wants to know him.I said this a really good, quiet film, with terrific performances all around. Duncan's played by Liam James, and I could feel, watching Duncan, as he takes those tentative, awkward steps into adulthood, how close he reminds me of me, at that age.Another terrific performance is AnnaSophia Robb, as Betty's daughter, Susann, who's resigned to the fact that she doesn't have a mother, and, if anything, she IS Betty's parent, and, not being able to experience life, and have an adult to guide you, it must hurt her, and Ms. Robb's is top notch.Of the adults, Mr. Rockwell's man-child, Owen, must sense in Duncan what he, himself was like at that age, and, to step in, and help Duncan is wonderful gesture (one, which, Duncan's mom questions for all the wrong reasons, when she sees Owen drop Duncan off at the house, and Duncan - already sparse of words - just says; 'a friend,' to his mum's asking 'who was that?She next says, in rapid succession; 'a friend who drives,' and then asks Duncan to 'bring Owen around,' even though she - herself, had only hours before had smoked pot - practically in front of Duncan, and something which hurt Duncan deeply, because he says 'my mother never smoked pot,' and the inference that she's only done so, under the (negative) influence of Trent.If you're a adult, I hope you watch it, and see how kids don't need 'friends' of their parents - and, yes, your kids won't always like you.But, that's part of life. Your children need a guide, and, without a parent to guide them, teach them, and the damage it CAN and WILL do, on the child, and THEIR children, is something this wonderful film demonstrates, in addition to the main point of a young man's begging to venture into maturity. I WISH they made this when I was Duncan's age.

I rarely give out 10s, but this movie truly deserves it.The script and dialogue is believable and very well executed. All the actors played their parts to perfection. Who would've guessed that Steve Carrel could play such a douche? Toni Colette is great as the insecure mom who loves her son, but is torn between him and "Trent". (Toni has a knack for these roles requiring depth - see "Muriels Wedding") Sam Rockwell is perfect as the not-yet completely grown-up mentor.The plot and pacing is just perfect. This gives the movie a feeling of believability, while being funny and captivating. There are no unnecessary jokes or violence. No silly special effects. And Owens "Don't follow a pattern on my quarter. You pave your own way" is what it's all about.This hit a home-run with me. 10/10