I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Good concept, poorly executed.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

The Way Way Back has Toni Collette and her son Liam James going on a summer beach vacation with the guy she's seeing Steve Carrell and his daughter Zoe Levin. It is apparent right awaythat this family will not blend well like the Bradys did. Carrell for instance really seems to enjoy putting down the very shy and socially awkward James. He's a real lout, but possibly Collette figures she can't do any better. Levin too puts James down and resents having to have him tag along and intrude in her social life. It doesn't look like it will be a happy summer vacation for James. But then he falls in with Sam Rockwell who runs a water slide ride. Rockwell is a free spirited type and if he doesn't develop full confidence in himself, James does come out of his shell. I'm agreeing with others who say this reminiscent of those John Waters films from the 80s. Liam James and Sam Rockwell have a great chemistry together and their scenes are special.Funniest scene is Rockwell dealing with a human kid logjam in his water slide. He uses his own special brand of drain cleaner to take care of the problem.This one's a good family film and Liam James is a real find.

In all honesty, I completely loved this film, it is one of the most heartwarming coming-of-age stories of recent years and blends comedy, drama and emotion perfectly. With top notch performances, most notably from Sam Rockwell as the overzealous-yet-lovable waterpark manager Owen and Steve Carrel as the somewhat unexpectedly despicable Trent, both James and Robb also do wonders as the young duo. The film itself has a nice indie feel to it with a fantastic acoustic score, supported by some fine music choices and a generally satisfying story as a whole. A definite must-watch if you enjoy coming-of-age dramas with that hint of heartwarming humour.

This was a likable enough coming of age dramedy. I didn't know anything about it going in but based on the cast attached I figured it was worth a watch. The story follows an introverted teen named Duncan who is forced to go to his mothers boyfriends beach house for the summer. Toni Collette plays the Mom here, a weak sort of character and Steve Carell is the (surprisingly) a$$hole boyfriend -just a horrible person. Anyways, while the parents party the summer away with (Allison Janney, Amanda Peet & Rob Corddry) awkward Duncan makes friends with (Sam Rockwell) and stumbles into a job at a local water park where he sort of comes into his own.There wasn't anything really new here in terms of a ground-breaking story and it felt uneven as a whole because while parts of the story were very much on the drama end of things other story lines went into the corny side of funny. I definitely felt Duncan's pain though, as he's stuck in this place with these horrible people.One aspect that I found a bit weird was that the kids in this beach resort town are basically allowed to run amuck while the parents behave like its spring break for adults, getting drunk and partying all day and night, doing drugs on a daily basis. Duncan actually works his full time job at the water park without his mom noticing.All in an average sort of movie, likable enough and filled with great performances. 1/3/16

Liam James is 14 year old Duncan and just as awkward as Keir Gilchrist in It's Kind of a Funny Story, only here he's not depressed, he's just a child of divorce and is being attacked from every angle. Well, anyone who has been a teenager can relate to the broody and mopey looks he gives his mum when she tells him to get out more or make some friends, or in many cases, at least try a little with his stepdad. I love that little reversal. Faxon and Rash, after their Oscar for their screenplay for the Descendants, helm this in their directorial debut as well as both playing a part in the staff of the local water park, Water Wizz, a aged relic of the past as Rockwell so endearingly describes it. One's a womanising joker while the other's an uptight neurotic (Jim Rash playing Jim Rash) and while they aren't exactly the most fleshed out characters, they are crucial in establishing that family dynamic that all the workers have. Better are Rockwell and Rudoplh, who are like the old married couple, always squabbling but ever leaning on each other. Initially I thought Duncan's revelation might have come from the source of the radiant Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb), which is hinted at but switched for the wise guru that is Rockwell's Owen. The adults are similarly well cast and acted. Toni Collete and Steve Carell shine as the trouble in paradise couple, while Allison Janey her usual role as the wild single mother with no inhibitions. The Way Way Back is uneven to say the least, but it knows exactly what it wants to say and what it wants the audience to think at the end of it. It doesn't always execute with success; there are some cringe-worthy segments like the teen-talk on the beach with Steph and her dumb friends (who is really just a place-holder character) and the dance segment that leads to Duncan getting his famous nickname, which seems ripped straight out of a direct-to-TV kids movie. But more importantly it's about Duncan growing up just a little and having the courage to speak his mind and find his own way. The Water Wizz staff are crucial to this (as is Kyle), and it needs to build upon the complex and strained relationship that his mum and step-dad have. Carell plays a great asshole, which is seldom a role he is known for - the kind of guy who has eyes only for Pam and sees his son as an outcast, a failed experiment, a three out of ten. Yes, what a fantastic way to set up that guide of a tough love relationship. And what a harsh and unflinching delivery on that damning statement to his stepson: "He doesn't want you, kid!" Toni Colette is even better; she seems to thrive in these emotionally wrecked and vulnerable roles. The way her face crumples as she admits that maybe staying with a cheater is better than being alone is heartbreakingly genuine. She cannot run away from Trent, and cannot bear to be confronted with the truth in a tense scene where Duncan finally breaks his silence. It pretty much makes up for those little awkward lapses in James' performance (or maybe the screenplay/direction wanted this specifically - in any case it's far too grating and common for these types of characters). I am pleasantly surprised at how TWWB doesn't dissolve into clichés and expectations of the usual romcom situations. Duncan in his misery goes for a kiss with Susanna, but she backs away hesitatingly, only to return it the next morning. She was just taken by surprise of course, which is okay. Owen and Caitlin lean on each other and seem to discover a new found mutual appreciation instead of reconciling some long passionate love affair. When he finally meets Trent, there isn't some trivial and unheard 'treat this kid' right speech, maybe because he knows it will go into one ear and out Trent's other. He stands their protectively in fron of Duncan, a father figure for the first time in his life, and Trent just doesn't care enough to do anything about it. And in that last shot, we don't see Pam and Duncan running off and starting a grand new life. All they have is each other really, but that just might enough, and they finally admit it.