Last I checked, it’s still summer (yay!). Of course, this means a lot of fun things are happening and this is a good thing. It also usually means there are a lot of crappy movies in the theater, which don’t really have much substance. Don’t get me wrong; if you want to see a movie with lots of special effects and explosions, then summer movie season is the best time for you. Personally, I am an indie film nerd and I am more intrigued with movies that have great writing and strong characters.
If you are anything like me, do not fear! I have just the summer movie for you – The Way Way Back! From the folks who brought you Little Miss Sunshine and Juno (love them both!), this coming-of-age summer flick is all about an awkward teenager named Duncan (played by Liam James) who is forced to spend his summer vacation at an East Coast beach house with his mom Pam (played by Toni Collette) and her new boyfriend Trent (played by Steve Carell) and his obnoxious teenage daughter Steph (played by Zoe Levin). Poor Duncan – he’s still suffering from his parents divorce and, to make matters worse, he is painfully shy.
His mom, Pam, doesn’t make Duncan’s life any easier as she is absorbed with her new boyfriend, Trent, who is actually kind of a jerk. In the first scene (also seen on the trailer), the group is driving to the beach house destination in a station wagon and Trent bluntly asks Duncan what Duncan would rank himself! Duncan hesitantly responds, “Number six,” but Trent corrects him and says he is more like a, “Number three.” Ouch! This gives you a taste of the dynamics between Trent and Duncan.
If you’ve seen the Office (I’m obsessed!), you are familiar with Steve Carell’s character and his funny persona. In addition, Steve Carell previously starred with Toni Collette as siblings in Little Miss Sunshine. He reinvents himself in this movie and he pulls it off spectacularly! Not only is his completely unlikeable, he, along with Toni Collette, are convincingly, romantically involved. They have such chemistry and are amazingly, talented actors that you get pulled in from the start of the film.
In order to escape the torture of his dysfunctional family dynamics, Duncan grabs a pink girly bike, rides aimlessly for some time and then finds himself walking around the local water park, Water Wizz. This completely reminds me of my summer days at Raging Waters! My SoCal readers may know the reference, but I am sure you all have a local water adventure park that you frequented as a kid. Duncan quickly meets funnyman Owen (played by Sam Rockwell), who happens to be the owner of Water Wizz. Owen, feeling a connection with Duncan, offers him a summer job helping around the water park. Without hesitation, Duncan gleefully accepts as he will do anything to avoid his mom’s new life. Pam isn’t paying much attention to her son anyway as she is absorbed trying to fit in to Trent’s life
What I love about this movie is the casting – it’s spot on! Owen introduces Duncan to a bunch of other cooky Water Wizz characters (including the actual writers of the film – Nat Faxon and Jim Rash). Duncan finds himself having the time of his life and belonging, for once, to a group he would call his friends. Owen is absolutely, positively hilarious! His one-liners keep you smiling throughout the film. Plus, Trent’s friend Betty (played by Allison Janney) is so clever, says inappropriate things more often than not, and is downright super funny. The drama that ensues with Duncan not getting along with Trent and, as a result, distancing himself from his mom, causes the film to have a deeper meaning than just a few laughs.
With the help of Owen and his friends, Duncan begins to transform himself and finds friends who don’t think he’s “a number three.” Instead, they adore him and even give him the nickname “Pop ‘n’ Lock!”
This movie is not your typical superficial summer flick because of the writing. The writing is beyond good. Now, writing comedy is completely understated and must be acknowledged. It is not easy to make people laugh with words only. The writers, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, manage to keep the movie relatively light and fun, while also grappling with larger emotional issues that take the movie to another level. It’s a fun summer movie, with an edge!
If you’ve ever been on a summer vacation with your family, I highly encourage you watch this sweet film about those teenage years when you begin to discover who you are and what matters in life. I have vivid memories of traveling to Palm Springs with my family and spending hours in the pool and getting my skin all wrinkly! I will forever cherish those summers.
Below is the trailer to give you a taste of the movie. Please share with me your thoughts once you watch the film. I’d love to hear from you!
Do you have any fun summer memories way way back?
photo credit: Movie Poster, Steve Carell, Steve Carell and Toni Collette, Liam James and Sam Rockwell, Liam James and Girl 
