Review of The Way Way Back (2013) by Shiela E — 12 Jun 2014

I loved this. Steve Carell is very funny, but he has shown that he is quite capable of playing it a bit more serious too. a MUCH more versatile actor than he is given credit for. He actually goes against type here. He is not the sweet, slightly dense character he usually plays at all here. It's a credit to his talent though that you are left with ambivalent feelings about this mostly nasty character.

Liam James and Sam Rockwell are the REAL stars here though. I was not all that familiar with Rockwell's work, but I liked him in this. There was a great chemistry between him and his young costar. I was greatly reminded of Bill Murray and Chris Makepeace in Meatballs. and like Meatballs this also concerns a young man coming out of his shell and learning to join the world over one special summer through the friendship of an older man in an authority position (Rockwell is his employer here). so basically think Meatballs but more serious, add in a possible love interest, and you have The Way Way Back. Really good movie.