Toni Collette and Steve Carell play a couple trying to decide if they should blend their families (Carell has a pouty daughter and Collettee has a dorky son). The “family” travels to Carell’s beach house for a summer vacation. Fourteen-year-old Duncan (played ably by Liam James), Collette’s dorky son, dislikes Carell’s character (and the animosity is mutual). Hating the entire situation, Duncan finds a refuge at the Water Wizz, a local water park. The eccentric owner, played by Sam Rockwell, takes Duncan under his wing and hires him. Duncan finds his co-workers at the Water Wizz more like a real family than the people at the beach house. Although the plot is predictable, the cast carries you along to a satisfying conclusion. If you’re in the mood for a coming-of-age movie, you’ll really like The Way Way Back. GRADE: B+
Since I detested both Juno and Little Miss Sunshine I believe I’ll pass on this.
Obviously Steve and I have diametrically opposed taste. I loved JUNO and liked much of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE.
Steve, the surprise in THE WAY WAY BACK is Steve Carell–who usually plays a Good Guy–going to the Dark Side.
Jeff, you and Jackie would really enjoy THE WAY WAY BACK. Everything at the water park is funny!
Jackie likes Steve Carell a lot even though he’s playing nasty in this.
Jeff, Diane is a big Steve Carell fan. She was shocked at his character in THE WAY WAY BACK.
I like the line on the poster WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE. Right, we all have a summer beach house.
Bob, only the Rich on Elysium have beach houses in the future.
I think the line in the poster refers to feeling like we don'[t fit in, not to having a summer beach house (though many people back in those days did rent one for a week).