The Way Way Back (2013)

Shy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park.

Directors:

Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Writers:

Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Stars:

Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney

5 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Carell	...	Trent
Toni Collette	...	Pam
Allison Janney	...	Betty
AnnaSophia Robb	...	Susanna
Sam Rockwell	...	Owen
Maya Rudolph	...	Caitlin
Liam James	...	Duncan
Rob Corddry	...	Kip
Amanda Peet	...	Joan
River Alexander	...	Peter
Zoe Levin	...	Steph
Nat Faxon	...	Roddy
Jim Rash	...	Lewis
Adam Riegler	...	Neil
Jeremy Weaver	...	Jason

Storyline

Duncan (Liam James) is not a popular kid and it doesn't look like the summer is going to offer anything better for him. His mother's boyfriend has invited them to his beach house where Duncan is expected to improve his personality and physical appearance, and meet girls. But his would-be step-sister doesn't want anything to do with him and his shy demeanor makes it difficult for him to meet anybody new. When Duncan wanders into the Water Wizz, the local water park, he meets adult employees who are just having fun. Owen (Sam Rockwell) lets Duncan work with him and their new-found bond will help each other mature and find their place in life. Which for Duncan means standing up to his would-be step-father, having a conversation with the girl next door and being more comfortable with who he is.

---

Plot Keywords:

summer | water park | shy kid | unlikely friendship | friendship | 

---

Taglines:

We've All Been There.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material

Did You Know?

Trivia

Allison Janney and Sam Rockwell were both in Trust Me (2013).

---

Goofs

When Duncan meets Owen, Owen is in the middle of a game of Pac-Man on Level 1. He says he's never made it to Level 2. When we see the screen a number of dots and one of the power-pellets are missing. When Duncan loses Owen's last life, still on Level 1, the screen shows an earlier point in the game.

---

Quotes

Caitlin: [angrily] What are you doing?
Owen: [laughing] What did I do? Having fun. It's all good. Nobody got hurt.
Caitlin: It's not all good! You can't do that. That is the reason that places like this get shut down.
Owen: [to teenager Malcolm] Is it me, or is she very sexy right now?
Malcolm: She's certainly got my attention.
Owen: Right... you're an impressive man. I want to be you when I grow up.
Caitlin: I'm so tired of this guy. Aren't you tired? Aren't you sick of yourself? I'm sick of it! I'm sick of who I am around you. I'm sick of having to be ...
[...]

---

Connections

References Footloose (1984)

---

Soundtracks

Young At Heart
Written by Tim Myers, Jim Greer and Brandon Arnovick
Performed by Tim Myers feat. Rondo Brothers
Courtesy of Palladium Records
By arrangement with Zync Music Group LLC

User Reviews

Laughter & tears at a water park in Summer...

Saw this at the Sydney Film Festival last night and I absolutely loved it. It's heartfelt and very, very funny while remaining subtle and not overdoing either.

It's a story about a teenage boy trying to find a place where he belongs and how no-one's family is perfect. It's about the awkwardness and embarrassment of adolescence and finding friendship.

Sam Rockwell is hilarious in this and the young actor was really, really good too. It was also great to see Steve Carrell play against type. I hated him in this movie so he did a great job.

Go see this movie please! You will laugh and you may cry. I wish there were more movies like this with heart and humour instead of Transformers 47 & Fast & The Furious 95

This movie is not a 3 or a 6!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 July 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Way Back

Filming Locations:

Marshfield, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$552,788, 7 July 2013

Gross USA:

$21,506,546

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$26,474,920

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sycamore Pictures, The Walsh Company, MWM Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1