Review of latest cable offering: The Way, Way Back
The Way, Way Back delves into the familiar territory of coming-of-age stories, but with its highly-talented cast and well-written script — it does what so few do anymore — it entertains.
The mood of the story is instantly set when Trent, played by Steve Carell, asks Duncan (Liam James) — the teenage son of the woman Trent is dating — how he would rate himself on a scale of 1-10. Duncan is relunctant to answer, but when Trent refuses to let the subject go Duncan finally says six — to which Trent responds, I see you as a three.
With that they continue their drive to Trent’s beach house where Duncan is exposed to two new experiences. The first is the adolescent behavior of the adults in his life and the second — the adultlike wisdom of the manager at the local water park where Duncan is given a job (and finds acceptance). Even though the water park manager has held on to his youthful ways a little too long, he is exactly what Duncan needs — and through his humor and friendship he helps Duncan find his way in the world.
Although, The Way, Way Back is a feel-good movie, it has enough drama to keep it balanced and with its steady supply of humor you keep smiling as Duncan finds his way through the pain of growing up as an awkward kid.
Rated PG-13 for language.
Charlie R. Claywell 