The Way Way Back

Starring: Liam James, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, AnnaSophia Robb, Amanda Peet, Allison Janney, Maya Rudolph, Rob Cordrry, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, River Alexander
Directed by: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
2013

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: An outcast teen (Liam James) seeks to escape from his mom's (Toni Collette) overbearing boyfriend (Steve Carell) and befriends a water park manager (Sam Rockwell).

Review:

Tim: I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed The Way Way Back. Jim Rash is a very good writer, and he has a good partner in Nat Faxon here. This is a story that's heartwarming, heartbreaking, and very funny. It's a coming-of-age story about overcoming those who put you down and becoming comfortable in your own skin. In short, it's a very, very good movie.

The film features a remarkable cast, in very good roles. I was impressed with Liam James- he started out seeming like an unlikeable, weak person, although that was very intentional. As the movie goes on, he becomes more and more likeable as he gets more comfortable in his own skin. It's actually quite amazing the transformation he makes on screen. Steve Carell was wonderfully cast out of character as an overbearing, selfish jerk. It was fun seeing him play something other than the loveable goofball. I don't like Toni Collette, and again, she did very little for me here. AnnaSophia Robb was impressive- I actually believe she may have a real career. She showed good talent here. Amanda Peet was fine in a small role, as were Allison Janney and Maya Rudolph. I have to say that my favorite actor in the film was Sam Rockwell. Rockwell is such an underrated actor- his performance here was remarkable. He was funny, charismatic, lazy, kind, selfish, and awesome, all at the same time. He was the kind of person you'd want to be friends with, even as he drove you crazy. Rockwell is what made this movie special for me- he's incredible, and he does not get the recognition he deserves.

The film doesn't just boast a good cast, the script is very good as well. The dialogue is sharp and crisp. There were a number of moments that just made laugh out loud (The James-Robb exchange over REO Speedwagon is perhaps my favorite). The script featured all these great quotes and quirky moments. It's just a fun movie, and best of all, there is a really good message about being proud of who you are.

Now, while I really, really liked the film, there's a few flaws that prevent it from reaching its apex. First, the film is a bit uneven. There's a few scenes, specifically at the waterpark, that weren't as powerful or essential to the film as they could be. Secondly, the ending of the film is far too weak. It wasn't as satisfying or cathartic as it needed to be. We invest so much into these characters, we're with them through their transformation. And then, at the end, instead of leaping from our seats and shouting, the ending is a big of a shoulder shrug. It really needed to be more powerful and more memorable. Part of this comes from the fact that Nat Faxon and Jim Rash were both making their directorial debuts here. They have some real talent (this is crazy good for a first-time effort), but they just don't have enough experience behind the camera. In time, as they gain experience, they can make some truly amazing movies. As such, this is an incredibly impressive first time effort, but a first time effort all the same.

While somewhat flawed, I really, really liked The Way Way Back. This is a seriously good movie, and one of the most heartwarming, fun movies I've seen in 2013. You have to check this movie out. Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Descendants