The Way Way Back (Faxon and Rash, 2013)

Remember those dreaded summer-long family vacations? The ones where mom and dad would claim the kids would enjoy themselves, but the children just feel miserable the entire time? Well, Duncan (Liam James) knows the feeling, stuck on a beach-town filled with negligent, childish adults and bratty teenagers. For a kid who already feels lonely, this trip could have been a nightmarish and never-ending struggle. However, Duncan forms a friendship and a capacity for fun in ways he never could have imagined.

Thanks to a bravura performance from Sam Rockwell, and a likable lead in Liam James, The Way Way Back is an entertaining and mostly lighthearted coming-of-age film. The writing is sharp, and the direction is impeccable (probably because Nat Faxon and Jim Rash did both). The entire cast gives surprisingly effective performances, allowing the actors to immersive themselves in roles that usually play against their personal stereotypes. It's a refreshing and original comedy drama.

Liam James stars as Duncan, a teenager who has had to deal with the divorce of his parents and his mother's (Toni Collette) douche of a new boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell). In the movie's most disturbing sequence, the opening scene depicts Trent rating Duncan a three out of ten, calling him a lazy and friendless boy who needs to leave the house more. Duncan despises Trent, but is too weak to do anything about it.

Duncan, his mom, Trent, and Trent's daughter (Zoe Levin) go together on a trip to a beach-house Trent grew up in. There, they find Trent's old friends, who are nothing but childish adults hoping to get away from life over the summer. They virtually ignore and abuse their children, who respond by acting childish in return. Duncan is left alone, and the only contact he has is nothing but harassment.

He tries to go out on his own, having trouble meeting new people until he encounters Owen (Sam Rockwell), the free-spirted manager of the Water Wizz amusement park. Owen takes Duncan under his wing, showing him how to have fun with the help of the other employees (which include Maya Rudolph, as well as writers/directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash). Duncan's increasing confidence is also mirrored in his growing friendship with love interest Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb). But Duncan is still troubled at home, and has to deal with the increasing separation from his mother before he loses her forever to Trent.

The actors do a marvelous job here, and each performance, no matter how major, is committed 100%. Steve Carell has played bad guys before, but none are as despicable as Trent. Behind the seemingly innocent facade lies a man who cares only for himself, psychologically tormenting Duncan in unimaginable ways. Carell really does a great job here. Toni Collette is equally brilliant as Duncan's mother; she plays the defenseless and tired woman with world-weary heaviness, felt in her performance by each sigh and constant need to hold back tears.

However, it's Sam Rockwell's multi-layered role that leads the ensemble cast. He's funny, charming, kind, rude, and protective all at the same time. Audiences will cheer each time he comes on screen, and will be eagerly awaiting his next return. From pop culture references to a constant concern for the people around him, Owen is the best character in this picture.

The screenplay is particularly intelligent, handling multiple issues, story-lines, and character arcs with clarity and grace. Audiences will feel for these characters, and can relate to one or all of them in some unique way. Each line of dialogue seems real, and remains a refreshing change of pace from a lot of cinematic writers.

While most other modern coming-of-age films are dark and angsty (see Juno or the near-perfect The Perks of Being a Wallflower), The Way Way Back is much more comforting and lighthearted. Even though the film lacks in the style or innovation department, it's still a life-affirming picture with a ton of heart.

Unlike Trent, I would rate Duncan a ten.

Four out of five stars.