The Way, Way Back Review

I've noticed over the last couple of years that the heartfelt yet quirky coming of age comedies have become their own genre. The first time we saw one of these movies truly flourish was with the box office surprise "Little Miss Sunshine." It made a hell of a lot of money as well as praise from critics, it even won the Oscar for best original screenplay as well as best supporting actor for Alan Arkin. The next year we saw "Juno" which also made an unexpected amount of money as well as appearing on dozens of top ten lists. Famed film critic Roger Ebert even picked it as his top movie of the year, beating out best picture winner "No Country for Old Men." And like Little Miss Sunshine, Juno also won best original screenplay. And it’s movies like those that give studios the confidence in funding these small independent films. And from the study that brought us Little Miss Sunshine and Juno, we get "The Way, Way Back." The movie stars an awkward and shy kid named Duncan who is going on vacation with his mother to her boyfriend’s beach house. Now his mom's boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell) is nothing short of an asshole. He's just kind of a jerk to Duncan for no reason. When they all arrive they all meet Duncan's friends. One of which he has had a couple of flings with. Duncan is miserable, he wanted to spend the summer with his dad but he is getting situated at his new home in San Francisco. Duncan doesn't know anyone and has nothing to do, so he spends most of his time biking around the town. While at a pizzeria he comes upon Owen, the manager at a nearby water park. He's a little weird but is a good guy and takes Duncan under his wing. He decides to give Duncan a part time job at the water park which makes him happier than anything else in the town. From there he starts to build confidence, and even makes friends with a local girl. Duncan feels like no one ever cares about what he wants, and he's right. But the job at the water park gives him a little control, now all he has to do is ride out the summer until he can make it back home. But by the end of his trip, he's not sure if he even wants to leave. The best word I can use to describe this movie is touching, you can't help but feel bad for this kid who's been thrown into this really sh*tty situation. Ever actor gives a great performance, there is no weak link. I would especially like to commend Steve Carell, for the longest time he's been type cast as the lovable idiot but he does a fantastic job as a jerk. He might be looking at a best supporting actor nomination for this. The screenplay for the movie is quite good; like Juno and Little Miss Sunshine this has a chance at an Oscar nomination, maybe even a win. This is a really good movie; it's just shy of greatness. I don't believe it's as good as Juno or LMS but it gives a valiant effort to match them. If you like quirky movies like this, The Way, Way Back is right down your alley. It's certainly one of the most enjoyable movies of the year.   

4/5 Stars