100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 78: The Way Way Back

Director: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Runtime: 103 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Liam James, Steve Carell, Toni Colette, AnnaSophia Robb, Alisson Janney, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Amanda Peet, Rob Corddry

Description: Shy 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) goes on summer vacation with his mother (Toni Colette), her overbearing boyfriend (Steve Carell), and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park.

Review: Duncan is a 14 year old boy, who is on his way to a beach house for the summer, with his mom, her new boyfriend Trent and the boyfriend’s daughter. Duncan and Trent don’t get along, he’s not happy with his mother’s choice. It’s going to be a long summer. But when Duncan meets Owen, who works at the local waterpark, there is a silver lining.

There are many characters in “The Way Way Back” that give the film a lot of color. Liam James, as Duncan, does a great job and so does AnnaSophie Robb. But it’s the adults that steal the show. It’s fun to see Steve Carell as the douchebag Trent. This ws the first time I wanted to slap him in the face, well performed by Carell. Allison Janney and Toni Colette are solid but my favorite character is portrayed by Sam Rockwell. He is the silly Owen, but he has a heart of gold. And he’s actually Duncan’s savior, the one who appreciates him for who he is. Rockwell really stole my heart in this movie.

“The Way Way Back” is a special film, an honest film, like “Juno and “Little Miss Sunshine”, that leave a smile on your face afterwards.

Rating: 5/ 5