The Way Way Back (2013)
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An introverted teenager finds an unexpected sense of belonging at a local water park while on a summer vacation with his mother and her wealthy boyfriend.
The story
Introverted 14-year-old Duncan from Albany, New York, reluctantly goes on summer vacation to a beach house in Wareham, Massachusetts, with his mother Pam, her wealthy boyfriend Trent, and Trent's spoiled daughter Steph. Trent and Steph are frequently condescending towards Duncan. While exploring the town, Duncan meets Owen, a worker at the local water park, Water Wizz. Owen takes Duncan under his wing and introduces him to the park's employees. Owen hires Duncan for odd jobs at the park to help boost his confidence, providing a sanctuary from the neglect of his mother and the criticisms of Trent.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Introverted 14-year-old Duncan from Albany, New York, reluctantly goes on summer vacation to a beach house in Wareham, Massachusetts, with his mother Pam, her wealthy boyfriend Trent, and Trent's spoiled daughter Steph. Trent and Steph are frequently condescending towards Duncan. On the way, Trent asks Duncan to rate himself, stating he is a three. At the house, they meet neighbors including Betty, her children Susanna and Peter, and a married couple Kip and Joan. Duncan meets Owen at Water Wizz, who hires him for odd jobs to boost his confidence. Duncan is continually neglected by Pam, who indulges in drinking and smoking marijuana. At a Fourth of July cookout, Susanna invites Duncan to hunt for ghost crabs, where they discuss their absent fathers. Duncan later witnesses Trent and Joan kissing. After a confrontation where Duncan shoves Trent and is told his father doesn't want him, Duncan flees to Water Wizz. He spends the night with Owen, who advises him to be himself. When the group prepares to leave, Susanna kisses Duncan. Duncan eventually runs to Water Wizz, where he becomes the first person to pass someone in the tube slide. After introducing Owen to his mother, Duncan bids everyone goodbye. Pam finally stands up for herself as they head out of town, sharing a smile with Duncan.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 103
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Nat Faxon; Jim Rash
- Writers
- Nat Faxon · writer; Jim Rash · writer
- Cast and characters
- Steve Carell; Toni Collette; Allison Janney; AnnaSophia Robb; Sam Rockwell; Maya Rudolph; Liam James · Duncan; Rob Corddry; Amanda Peet
- Genres
- comedy-drama
- Themes
- coming-of-age; dysfunctional families; self-discovery
- Tone and mood
- warm; funny; heartwarming; sentimental
- Premise and plot tags
- coming-of-age; summer vacation; dysfunctional family
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews and was a box office success, being one of the most financially successful films to come out of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 68 · scale: 100 · review count: 41
- Production trivia
- The film was conceived in the early 2000s but spent years in development hell.; It was one of the most financially successful films to come out of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.; The film was originally in production at the same studio that distributed The Descendants.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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