The Way, Way Back Information

The Way, Way Back is a 2013 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. It premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

Plot

14-year-old Duncan reluctantly goes on summer vacation to a beach house with his mother Pam, her boyfriend trent and Steve's daughter Katy. During the drive, Trent asks Duncan how he would rate himself on a scale of 1 to 10, and says he would rate him at a 3; he encourages Duncan to "build up that score" over the summer.

They arrive at the beach house and is greeted by the neighbors, hard-drinking, gregarious Betty, and her children, Susanna and Peter. Stephanie reluctantly brings Duncan to the beach and he is further isolated. That night, Trent's friends Kip and Joan come over for dinner. Duncan and Susanna have an awkward conversation on the porch.

Duncan discovers a pink, sparkly bike and begins exploring the town. He eventually runs into the staff of the local water park, Water Wizz, at the local pizza joint. He has a brief interaction with the manager, Owen, who he recognizes from an earlier interaction. When Duncan comes by the Water Wizz the next day, Owen takes Duncan under his wing and shows him around the park. Duncan is introduced to the park's employees: responsible Caitlyn, sardonic Lewis, and easygoing Roddy. Several kids at the water park speak reverently of a legendary "pass" in the tube slide, wondering how it could have been done. After giving Duncan a ride home, Owen hires him for odd jobs at the Water Wizz.

Back at the beach house, Duncan is continually abandoned by Pam, who indulges in drinking, staying out at night, and smoking pot with other vacationers. At the Fourth of July cookout, Duncan witnesses Trent and Joan kissing by the side of the house, suggesting that they have had an ongoing affair.

At a party at Kip and Joan's later in the summer, Pam catches Trent in a lie about being out on Kip's boat. Suspecting an affair, Pam begins to leave. She is confronted by Duncan, who is ashamed that she will not take control of her life. Trent becomes involved and reveals to Duncan that the boy had to spend the summer at the beach house because his divorced father did not want to take care of him. Susanna comforts Duncan out on the beach, but he is disheartened to see that Pam seems to be taking Trent back when he returns to the house. He sneaks out and goes to the Water Wizz.

After spending all night with his friends at Water Wizz, Duncan opens up to Owen about his relationship with Trent and how the water park is the only place where he is happy. Owen sympathizes to Duncan's problems with Trent, saying that his relationship with his father led to his disdain for patterns and rules. He then reassures Duncan that he has his whole life ahead of him.

When Duncan arrives back at the beach house, Pam tells him they will be leaving; it seems as though Pam and Trent are back together. As they get ready to leave, Duncan and Susanna share a kiss. When they stop for gas on their way out of town, Duncan jumps out of the station wagon and runs to the Water Wizz. He and Owen take the Devil's Peak slide, and Duncan becomes the first person to ever "pass" someone in the water slide. Pam sees Duncan's picture as the "Employee of the Month," and meets the people that have become important to her son over the summer. Trent, Stephanie, Pam, and Duncan regroup, and as they head out of town. Pam climbs into the way, way back on the vehicle with Duncan, implying that she has chosen to be with Duncan over Trent.

Cast

• Steve Carell as Trent
• Toni Collette as Pam
• Allison Janney as Betty
• AnnaSophia Robb as Susanna
• Sam Rockwell as Owen
• Maya Rudolph as Caitlyn
• Liam James as Duncan
• Rob Corddry as Kip
• Amanda Peet as Joan
• Jim Rash as Lewis
• Nat Faxon as Roddy
• Robert Capron as Kyle
• River Alexander as Peter
• Ava Deluca-Verley as Katy
• Zoe Levin as Steph
• Devon Werden as Laura
• Jeff Ryan as Charlie
• Kira Mohr

Release

The film had its premiere screening at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

Reception

The Way, Way Back received positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 83% based on 103 reviews, with the site's consensus stating "despite its familiar themes, The Way Way Back makes use of its talented cast, finely tuned script, and an abundance of charm to deliver a funny and satisfying coming-of-age story".

Inkoo Kang of The Village Voice writes, "The Way, Way Back is a crowd-pleasing summer treat, predictable in its sweetness but satisfying all the same."