The Way Way Back - "You're a 3/10"
Jim Rash & Nat Faxon bring us they're highly anticipated follow up project after much success with their Oscar winning "The Descendants". The Way Way Back fits into the genre of "that summer that changed it all" and instead of being too cliche it's actually rather fresh and invigorating. Duncan is your everyday 14 year old kid seeking acceptance outside his dysfunctional family and is dragged along to his mothers boyfriend's beach house for the summer. His mother is played by Toni Collette who gives a solid performance of a woman with little left to hold onto in this world, reuniting with her "Little Miss Sunshine" co-star Steve Carell they share a brutal on screen relationship that is falling apart at the seams. Steve Carell plays "Trent" a surprisingly good passive-aggressive asshole who has it out for Duncan and doesn't hide the fact.
When they arrive at the beach house they are greeted by "Betty" played by the wonderful Allison Janney who serves as some welcome comedic relief & introduces Duncan to her daughter "Susanna" played by the gorgeous AnnaSophia Robb. Admiring from a distance is the name of the game as Duncan doesn't possess the ability to talk to girls UNTIL he meets the always charming Sam Rockwell who owns the local water park and offers him a job and shows him the ropes of social interaction, a department in which Duncan is clearly lacking. Writers Nat Faxon & Jim Rash both play very comedic roles as water park employees and their on screen chemistry is terrific. It's really sweet seeing Duncan & Susanna grow closer and closer as both their families are too preoccupied with each other to give the time of day to their children. Sam Rockwells character also helps Duncan deal with the abuse he's receiving from Trent.
As the summer plays out Duncan learns to tune out the abuse and make the most of his friendship with Susanna as he falls more and more in love with her, always seeking guidance from Sam Rockwell and generally doing well at making friends. It's not all sunshine and rainbows as some dark subplots not worth spoiling do play out but I can definitely say it's well worth watching, you'll laugh a lot, maybe even cry but you won't walk out yet again feeling burned by a mediocre film. I look forward to seeing what Jim Rash & Nat Faxon have for us next year. 4.5/5
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