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The Way Way Back Movie Review

The Way Way Back is a 2013 coming-of-age film directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash and starring Liam James and Sam Rockwell. It’s such a heartfelt, hugely underrated movie.

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“Hi. I’m Owen, a good friend of “the three”“

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Duncan, a shy teenager, visits a beach house owned by his mother’s boyfriend. Annoyed with everyone, he wanders away to a local water park and meets Owen, who helps him open up to the world. I loved this movie watching it first back when it was released and rewatching it today I love it just as much. It’s one of the best coming-of-age movies of the 2010s decade and one of the most underrated films from its period.

Yes, the basic premise of a shy, awkward teenager struggling to fit in is very familiar by now. But the execution of it was so fantastic that the movie was elevated above its genre constraints to deliver a genuinely moving and effective story. That ending where the two say goodbye to each other almost moved me to tears how beautiful it was.

Liam James was so good as the protagonist Duncan. This young actor pretty much disappeared after this flick, which is a shame as he showed a lot of potential here. I related so much to this character as I have also felt deeply disconnected with everyone during my teenage years and I still do feel that to a degree. This is one of the most relatable coming-of-age flicks as it centers on the type of person that I could for once relate to.

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But the standout is obviously Sam Rockwell in what is one of his best roles to date. He absolutely killed it as the immensely likable and endearing Owen. He plays this guy who is like an eternal child, but also a helpful adult with genuinely good advice, acting as a father figure that Duncan doesn’t have. The two developed such a strong bond that really moved me. Rockwell is also very funny and he delivered his dialogue effortlessly well. We should all be so lucky to have someone like him in our lives.

The Way Way Back also has a plethora of strong supporting turns from this excellent ensemble. It was very interesting seeing Steve Carell in such a villainous turn as the asshole stepfather who is cruel and atrocious toward Duncan. He sold him well despite the fact that the character was a bit too over-the-top. Maya Rudolph was lovely in a small role, Allison Janney was reliably fun and larger than life, and Toni Collette was very sweet as the troubled mother.

The movie is definitely predictable in its basic plot beats. I’ve seen many films like this before. But that did not matter much ultimately as the emotions were very much earned and that ending was simply perfect. The technical aspects are only serviceable, but this is the film about characters, their relationships and what it means to be a shy teenager, and all of these the movie sold so well. The water park as the setting was so well realized and that was also highly relatable and appealing to me as I loved these as a kid.

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