"The Way Way Back" (12A)
Directors: Nat Faxon and Jim Rash.
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Toni Collette, Liam James, Steve Carell and AnnaSophia Robb.
Running time: 103 minutes.
Rated: 12A, for containing one use of strong language, moderate sex and drug references.
Out now in UK cinemas.
"The Way Way Back" tells the story of Duncan's (Liam James), emotional and funny summer holiday with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her new distasteful boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter Stephanie (Zoe Levin). Finding only hostility in his family, Duncan decides to explore and finds an unlikely friendship in Owen (Sam Rockwell), a happy-go-lucky employee at the local water park. As his friendship with Owen develops, Duncan becomes an employee at the park and begins to discover the true meaning of having fun.
From the writers of "The Descendants", comes a fresh and easy going tale focusing on the hardships of family life bundled into an often emotional drama.
Coming of age comedies are rare, good ones even rarer. That is why I had a small reserved feeling about the film, just in case it didn't meet my expectations.
Saying that, "The Way Way Back" is almost perfect and lives up to the reviews and news which surround it.
The script is well thought out, having jokes that are sometimes close to the mark, but never pushing the boundaries too far. It's full of quick and fast one-liners that work well for Sam Rockwell's character of Owen.
The film contains some brilliant performances from the whole cast, including a screen-grabbing performance by Toni Collette ("Little Miss Sunshine"), as Duncan's mother, Pam. Sam Rockwell is equally as good, in a role that suits his personality, amazingly well.
The young leads, Liam James and AnnaSophia Robb act amazingly well (considering their age). They both share a rich chemistry together that works ever so well and feels right for their characters.
Verdict
"The Way Way Back" is a delightful comedy which has everything needed to make a poignant drama and also a well-needed comedy. It's possibly the most original and bittersweet comedy I've seen in a long while and definitely worth watching.
8 stars out of 10.
Written by Scott gentry.
Film Rating Key
1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.
3-4 stars out of ten = Average.
5-6 stars out of ten = Good.
7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.
9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.
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