REVIEW: The Way Way Back

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Simply put, I loved “The Way Way Back.” Even if I still have no clue what the title means, I was drawn into the film’s world from the opening scene. That tends to happen when an obnoxious jackass, in his nasty version of a motivational speech, tells a shy teenager that he rates a three on a 1-10 scale.

Screenwriters Nat Faxon and Jim Rash certainly know how to get viewers’ attention, as evidenced by the Oscar they won for their work on “The Descendants.” In addition to penning “The Way Way Back,” the duo also tackles directing duties this time, further helping them create a fully-realized world stocked with compelling characters. Most of them are tropes, but that makes sense considering the film plays as a loving homage to ’80s coming-of-age comedies.

The movie focuses on Duncan (Liam James), an introverted 14-year-old who’s forced to spend his summer at a beach house with his doormat mother, Pam (Toni Collette); her obnoxious boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell) – he of the above-mentioned pep talk; and his snotty daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin). He has a rough time fitting in, a situation made worse by the fact that his mom mostly leaves him to fend for himself while she’s off partying with Trent and his equally insufferable friends, Kip and Joan (Rob Corddry and Amanda Peet). Peer pressure isn’t just a danger for teenagers, apparently.

Fortunately, Duncan’s summer is salvaged thanks to some much-needed friendships. First, he gets to know his crazy but well-meaning neighbor, Betty (Allison Janney, fantastic as always), and her affable daughter, Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb). Most importantly, he crosses paths with Owen (Sam Rockwell), the manager of a local water park who sees though Liam’s awkward exterior to the great kid underneath.

When Owen offers him a job working alongside the water park’s crazy assortment of employees (including Faxon, Rash and Maya Rudolph), he covertly teaches Duncan some much-needed social skills and boosts his confidence. The position offers a welcome respite from idiots like Trent and Steph, and also imparts wisdom that will last far beyond the summer.

“The Way Way Back” doesn’t break new cinematic ground; in fact, it will probably remind viewers of more than a dozen similarly-themed flicks. But Faxon and Rash breathe fresh, emotional life into familiar themes and scenarios. There’s a solid balance of comedy and drama, especially concerning the amount of time it takes Pam to acknowledge the staggering evidence that Trent is a terrible human being. It’s a frustrating element of the plot, but I’m guessing that’s precisely what Faxon and Rash intended. I’ve got a feeling Pam and Duncan’s situation isn’t nearly as farfetched as viewers might think.

What I admire most is the obvious love the screenwriting/directing duo has for every character in the film (yes, even Trent). The roles may not be unique, but it’s evident that a lot of care and attention still went into crafting them.

The movie’s biggest strength is Faxon and Rash’s impeccable taste in casting. James is quite good, carrying the entire film on his capable shoulders. He convincingly sells Duncan’s personality shift from shy, slightly creepy kid to self-assured normal teenager.

Collette is also strong as a scared, weak-willed mother who must acknowledge this fact before she can overcome it. She has to walk a fine line with the character. If Pam comes to term with her failings too quickly, there’s no movie; if she’s too oblivious, then she just looks like a terrible mother. Fortunately, Collette is a talented performer.

Janney is almost always the secret weapon of every movie she’s in, and “The Way Way Back” is no exception. She pops in, says a few hilarious lines and pops back out. She doesn’t wear out her welcome, but still manages to convey the pain and sadness that makes her character more than just the funny, drunk neighbor.

Robb, though she doesn’t get a lot to do, is talented enough to make Susanna more than just Duncan’s dream girl or Steph’s only intelligent acquaintance. Even the roles with a small amount of screen time are filled with recognizable, charismatic actors, particularly Corddry and Peet.

The film’s real standouts are the two male influences in Duncan’s life. Rockwell – playing against his usual type of smug antagonists – is terrific. The actor channels vintage Bill Murray to prove the immature Owen is actually far more insightful than he looks. The character has flaws, but he’s a genuinely decent person, one who comes through for Duncan at a critical time in the kid’s life.

Carell also does astonishing work, mostly because I’d forgotten how great the actor can be at playing loathsome characters. What makes Trent even more contemptible is that he honestly believes he’s a good guy helping out this sad single mom and her weirdo kid. There’s an unabashed superiority to his behavior, like he can’t believe these lowly people aren’t more appreciative of his presence in their lives. Trent is inherently punchable, a trait that Carell executes perfectly.

Based on its critical reception and box office returns, “The Way Way Back” probably won’t earn Faxon and Rash a repeat visit to the Academy Awards. Who cares – I love it more every time I revisit it in my head. The characters, the acting, the plot’s traditional structure and the skillful juggling of humor and drama make it a film worth seeing as the big-budget blockbusters wind down. It’s one of my favorites of 2013.

“The Way Way Back” is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material.

Grade: A-