Review of The Way Way Back (2013) by Jovon T — 29 Mar 2014
Written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (Oscar winning screenwriters of The Descendants (2011)), this is a moving and quirky comedy-drama which has a good cast, all adding different levels of charm to this nostalgic and old-fashioned coming of age story.
It makes the most of it's locations, and it's well made and it's a really sweet film with a heart of gold too. 14 year old Duncan (Liam James) is going on a summer vacation to Cape Cod with his mother Pam (Toni Collette), her boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell) and his daughter Steph (Zoe Levin).
Duncan feels melancholy over having to go there when he'd rather be with his proper father, while Trent puts him down at every turn. There seems to be nothing in Cape Cod that'll lift Duncan's mood, until he meets Owen (Sam Rockwell), who is the laid-back manager of the nearby waterpark Water Wizz.
While his life at home is going to pot, Duncan manages to escape from all that, and gets a summer job at the waterpark, which lifts his mood and spirits. Made for a meagre $4.3 million, it manages to be a compelling and touching film, done with a delicate touch and it has a very good ensemble cast.
It's hardly original, and it's not going to change the face of cinema. But it's a lovely piece of escapism, Rockwell absolutely steals the film as the free-spirited water park manager.
This review of The Way Way Back (2013) was written by Jovon T on 29 Mar 2014.
The Way Way Back has generally received very positive reviews.
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