The teen years are not kind to everyone. It’s a period of life where everyone begins to slowly come into their own. For some, it takes longer than others, but everyone has their journey. The Way Way Back is a coming of age story some may be familiar with in their own lives, as it shows the journey of a fourteen year old boy who’s trying to find his place in his family, cope with his parent’s divorce, and eventually come out of his shell. The movie was a Sundance selection back in 2013 featuring some fresh talent, and some heavy hitters.
Duncan is headed to a beach house for the summer with his mother, her boyfriend Trent, and Trent’s daughter Steph. Duncan’s relationship with Trent is best described as unsteady. Trent is passively condescending to Duncan, though fancies himself as a ‘nice guy’. Steph doesn’t treat him any better, leaving Duncan feeling isolated and depressed. Duncan soon meets Owen, a man who works at the local water park. Taken aback by Owen’s energetic personality, Duncan starts working with him at the park. As result he soon begins to learn what it means to be confident in himself and to confront his plights in life head on.
This movie is a purely creative endeavor all the way around. It’s not a big budget picture with FX and complicated shooting techniques, but it does have that special something. For example; Directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash not only take their place behind the camera, but also in front of it with minor roles in the movie. Veterans Steve Carell and Sam Rockwell also join the cast of this indie feature, getting the opportunity to show their range as performers. Carell, who normally plays likeable characters, plays Trent and shows just how much of a life-like jerk he can be, so much so, that he’s almost unrecognizable. Rockwell as Owen, is one of the rare instances where you see him play a character that is somewhat ‘normal’. His mentorship to Duncan (Liam James) is textbook positive ‘male presence’, this being a key part of the plot. James as Duncan is the centerpiece of it all. His arc is written with care, and his growth of the character is an accurate depiction of what it means to be an awkward teenager. Faxon and Rash, who also wrote the movie, come from a place of truth and legitimacy in The Way, Way Back that is hard to come by in the average everyday ‘feel good’ flick.
The Way, Way Back is available for rent and purchase on VUDU, Prime Video, or Apple TV.
Adults will remember what life was like at that age, and no one person went through it the same. Teens of today are living it now, and to many of them The Way, Way Back is story that gives hope and provides a sort of necessary closure; that life will go on and as a teenager, things are just really beginning. The Way, Way Back is available for rent and purchase on VUDU, Prime Video, or Apple TV.
