The Way Way Back

Its called a "coming of age" movie, but it is a slice of life. What the "The Way Way Back" is, is the best summer movie so far. While everyone else is blowing up the world or the White House, this is the story of a 14 year old boy who is alone in a crowd of self absorbed people.  He and his mother go to her boyfriend's summer vacation house by the ocean in New England. The boyfriend (Steve Carell) is a jerk who has a teenage daughter who is also unbearable.  They arrive to spend time with the gang of other summer residents played by Amanda Peet, Rob Corddry, and Allison Jenny. The actors in this movie are great.  The boy, Duncan, played by Liam James is in a shell and is ignored and is bored.  He goes to the nearby water park and gets a job with a zany group of people (Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, and others) and soon discovers life, fun and friends.

This is a very funny and comfortable movie while at the same time in the skin of Duncan, we see the harsh, uncaring world this is around us.  It is delightful and real at the same time.

This won't make many theaters because it is an Indy film but it is great.  Only on theater in T-Town has it and it is worth the drive.  PG13

I give it ****(4) stars. 2013 movie #31

It will make you forget Wolverines.