The Way Way Back – Film Review

By Frederique Bros
on 12 July 2013

My pick of the week for the new movie release 2013 is The Way Way Back, a funny and poignant summer movie.

It’s the story of 14-year-old Duncan’s (Liam James)summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend(Steve Carell), Trent, and Trent’s daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin). Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in the gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up and begins to finally find his place in the world – all during a summer he will never forget.

So what it makes this movie so special?

It’s because we all remember our teenager years, you know those ones when we were a bit awkward, clumsy and introverted? We all have a ‘little Duncan’ in us. The story is quiet modern because of the reconstituted family and it’s played with a high-quality casting, which it takes the movie level to be a very good movie.

You will laugh a lot, you will feel a bit uneasy for some scenes, the dialogue is genially well written with a dry and sarcastic sense of humour.  I really love to see the growing friendship between Owen and Duncan, it’s honest and direct. It’s also a surprise to see Steve Carell in the role of the jackass mum’s boyfriend, proving that his acting skills are not only for comedy but also for drama.

I really invite you to go to see this new movie release, you don’t need to have kids to enjoy the movie! Grab a popcorn, sit comfortably and be ready to go for a funny ride of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It’s a bittersweet comedy that will remind you of your not-so-funny teenage years and you will enjoy the quality of acting. I can confidently say Liam James has a promising acting career in front of him!

Release date: Only at the movies 1 August 2013.

About The Way, Way Back

Directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. With Liam James, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell, Allison Janney, Maya Rudolph.

Cowritten and codirected by Oscar winners Nat Faxon and Jim Rash.

Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Running time: 1 hour, 43 mins.

Parent’s guide: PG-13 (profanity, adult themes, mild sexuality, smoking)

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