Coming Of Age Summer Love Connection From Way Way Back!
by ALAN SAMUEL
Adolescent turmoil leads to comic chaos of a bittersweet nature in The Way Way Back. Bound to be a classic, this smart film is brought forth by the same studio that brought us Little Miss Sunshine, Fox Searchlight Pictures. Perfect for people looking for a smart tale laced with comedy and sharp with, this film is now running on full throttle at the International Village Cinemas.
Quality acting is in vogue during this sly 103 minute farce. Top comic talents Stave Carell (Get Smart) and Toni Colette (The Sixth Sense) perfectly portray messed up lovers Trent and Pam. Causing a big rift between these middle aged lost souls is Pam’s son, an introvert in the extreme named Duncan. Boys will be boys but Liam James definitely is a lost soue with tons of personal issues. Life is difficult in the extreme for this kid who is “uprooted” with the elders to a summer coastal retreat. Downward Duncan’s life descends while the adults seem to be having loads of fun at Trent’s swinging beach house.
Lost and ruddeless, Duncan being bored gets involved with a summertime job program that every kid in the world would love: watermania. At this theme park Dunan takes orders from Owen, a wacky live wire played deliciously by Sam Rockwell. Relationships are tough affairs and there are lots of side issues that have an impact on everyone’s life in this expertly acted film.
Feelings of loss, self-confidence and betrayal are expertly handled here as is budding sexuality, repression and freedom. Directed and written jointly by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash The Way Way Back is a wonderful tale of family and the impact new friends chan have on a unit.
