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In 2012, Jim Rash and Nat Faxon won an Oscar for their moving screenplay for Alexander Payne’s The Descendants. The win gave them a little bit of much-needed leverage, allowing them to direct their passion project: the bittersweet coming-of-age comedy The Way Way Back.
The film follows awkward 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) through an uncomfortable summer vacation with his mom, Pam (Toni Collette), her obnoxious boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Trent’s stuck-up daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin). As Pam and Trent party with Trent’s friends and Steph hits the beach with the other stuck-up teens, Duncan is left to fend for himself—so he spends his days wandering around the seaside town on Steph’s old bike.
When Duncan stumbles upon the Water Wizz water park, he finds more than just a fun part-time summer job; he also finds a bunch of quirky—but valuable—new friends.
The Way Way Back is exactly the kind of film that you’d expect from the Oscar-winning duo. It’s sweet and charming. It’s challenging and thoughtful. It’s lovably nerdy. And it’s often riotously funny, too. That’s not an easy mix to get right—but Rash and Faxon handle it with ease, without making the storytelling feel awkward or unbalanced.
This isn’t an action-packed, wild and crazy adventure; it’s simply the laid-back tale of a summer by the beach—yet there’s nothing dull about it, either. As writers, directors, and as actors, Rash and Faxon make sure of that. They sprinkle this easy-going story with amusing encounters and endearingly over-the-top characters—from Allison Janney’s hilariously blunt Betty to Rash’s own disgruntled water park employee, Lewis.
It’s nearly impossible not to fall in love with these characters. Duncan is such an adorably awkward teen—and as he learns and grows and builds confidence throughout the summer, you’ll cheer him through each new experience. At the same time, his friend and unlikely mentor, Sam Rockwell’s Owen, does some learning and growing of his own. He’s absolutely hilarious yet charming in his own way. You’ll enjoy getting to know each one of these lovable characters—and when their story comes to an end, you’ll be left with the same feeling that many of us once felt at the end of yet another memorable summer vacation: a little bit of relief mixed with a little bit of sadness.
The Way Way Back brings the perfect blend of comedy and drama. It’s thoughtful without getting too heavy, and it’s hilarious without getting too silly. And that makes this summer vacation story a great choice for any time of year.
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