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IMDbPro

The Way Way Back

  • 20132013
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
149K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,359
133
Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carell, Liam James, Maya Rudolph, and AnnaSophia Robb in The Way Way Back (2013)
Over the course of his summer break, a teenager comes into his own thanks in part to the friendship he strikes up with one of the park's managers.
Play trailer2:32
10 Videos
68 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
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 ... Read allShy 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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
149K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,359
133
  • Directors
    • Nat Faxon
    • Jim Rash
  • Writers
    • Nat Faxon
    • Jim Rash
  • Stars
    • Steve Carell
    • Toni Collette
    • Allison Janney
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Nat Faxon
    • Jim Rash
  • Writers
    • Nat Faxon
    • Jim Rash
  • Stars
    • Steve Carell
    • Toni Collette
    • Allison Janney
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 298User reviews
    • 287Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 30 nominations

    Videos10

    Version 1
    Trailer 2:32
    Version 1
    The Way, Way Back
    Clip 0:51
    The Way, Way Back
    The Way, Way Back
    Clip 1:06
    The Way, Way Back
    The Way, Way Back
    Clip 1:15
    The Way, Way Back
    The Way, Way Back
    Clip 1:05
    The Way, Way Back
    The Way, Way Back
    Clip 0:37
    The Way, Way Back
    The Way, Way Back
    Clip 1:24
    The Way, Way Back
    Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
    Featurette 5:18
    Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
    Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
    Featurette 5:23
    Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
    "A Three" TV Spot
    Promo 1:01
    "A Three" TV Spot

    Photos68

    Toni Collette and Liam James in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Liam James in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Nat Faxon and Liam James in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carell, Liam James, and Zoe Levin in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Liam James and AnnaSophia Robb in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Allison Janney in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Maya Rudolph in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Toni Collette and Steve Carell in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Liam James and AnnaSophia Robb in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Toni Collette, Allison Janney, and Steve Carell in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Sam Rockwell, Liam James, and Jim Rash in The Way Way Back (2013)
    Toni Collette and Liam James in The Way Way Back (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steve Carell
    Steve Carell
    • Trentas Trent
    Toni Collette
    Toni Collette
    • Pamas Pam
    Allison Janney
    Allison Janney
    • Bettyas Betty
    AnnaSophia Robb
    AnnaSophia Robb
    • Susannaas Susanna
    Sam Rockwell
    Sam Rockwell
    • Owenas Owen
    Maya Rudolph
    Maya Rudolph
    • Caitlinas Caitlin
    Liam James
    Liam James
    • Duncanas Duncan
    Rob Corddry
    Rob Corddry
    • Kipas Kip
    Amanda Peet
    Amanda Peet
    • Joanas Joan
    River Alexander
    River Alexander
    • Peteras Peter
    Zoe Levin
    Zoe Levin
    • Stephas Steph
    Nat Faxon
    Nat Faxon
    • Roddyas Roddy
    Jim Rash
    Jim Rash
    • Lewisas Lewis
    Adam Riegler
    • Neilas Neil
    Jeremy Weaver
    • Jasonas Jason
    Robert Capron
    Robert Capron
    • Kyleas Kyle
    • (as Robert Banfield Capron)
    Rodney Lodge
    • Malcolmas Malcolm
    Devon Werden
    • Lauraas Laura
    • Directors
      • Nat Faxon
      • Jim Rash
    • Writers
      • Nat Faxon
      • Jim Rash
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In an interview, writer/director Jim Rash said the script's main inspiration was the opening scene, inspired by a similar conversation he had with his own stepfather when he was 14.
    • Goofs
      Microphone visible inside Owen's shirt when he and Duncan are on top of slide.
    • Quotes

      Owen: You disappoint me, kid. You're late. You planning on making a habit of this?

      Duncan: What?

      Owen: You're fired!

      Duncan: But I just...

      Owen: [sticks out his hand] You make a valid point. Welcome back. With benefits.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.185 (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      For The Time Being
      Written by Edie Brickell

      Performed by Edie Brickell and The Gaddabouts

    User reviews298

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Absolutely charming
    There's nothing to dislike about this movie. The actors do a terrific job all around--from the scene-stealing eyepatch kid to Allison Janey's lush to Steve Carrell's first role as a d-bag. Kudos to the kid playing Duncan and the guy playing his...boss? mentor? friend? saviour?--or all of the above. The scenery is lovely and convincingly real--no beach McMansions with $6,500 Wolf ranges. It shows what a real beach community looks like. The '70 Buick Estate Wagon is sublime and had me kvelling.

    But it's the story that really makes the viewer smile. Duncan is a lost, lonely, mess...14, stuck with his mom whom he loves (but doesn't really respect), her douchebag boyfriend, boyfriend's daughter, and not much else. He finds his way in a way that defines a coming-of-age story. The Water Wizz guy--channeling Bill Murray in Meatballs in an obvious homage--does a great job, never losing sight of his own challenges in life while helping young Duncan emerge from his painful shell.
    helpful•138
    26
    • shlevine
    • Jul 14, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 26, 2013 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Way Back
    • Filming locations
      • Water Wizz - 3031 Cranberry Hwy, East Wareham, Massachusetts, USA
    • Production companies
      • Sycamore Pictures
      • The Walsh Company
      • MWM Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $21,506,546
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $552,788
      • Jul 7, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $26,474,920
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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