The Way Way Back is a film that knocked me off my feet and then some. If there is a film that ends up surpassing this as my favorite of 2013...I would be amazed. Not only is this wonderfully written and directed by the Oscar winning team of Nat Faxon and Jim Rash but it's incredibly well performed by its extremely gifted cast. Also,,,I would be lying if I didn't point out that this is one of those rare films that actually got me choked up. Add this to Brian's Song, The Great Escape and Into The Wild as a film that managed to make me cry. However, unlike those three...I cried at The Way Way Back because of how touching and uplifting it was...not because it was sad.
The film stars newcomer Liam James (who has a long, bright career ahead of him if these kinds of performances keep up) as Duncan. He wants to stay with his dad for the summer but ends up with his mom, Pam (Toni Collette) and her amazingly harsh boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carrell.) When I say Trent is harsh I don't simply mean harsh. Rather, I mean that he is a disgustingly cruel and unsympathetic character. Right off the bat...the film tells you "whatever you do---don't like this guy." Upon having to deal with Trent....Duncan sneaks off to a water park to be depressed for a few hours. There...Owen (Sam Rockwell)..the owner of the park introduces Duncan to the employees and enlists him to work at the park. Duncan accepts and soon charms employees such as wacky water slide watcher Roddy (Faxon) and fed up but accepting boss Caitlin (Maya Rudolph,) Soon....Duncan realizes that this water park might be just the change he needs and develops a romance with next door neighbor Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb.)
The writing is incredibly razor sharp and gives the whole film an authentic feel that is in turn extremely funny and very touching. James is phenomenal here as an awkward but sweet kid just trying to fit in. Collette gives Pam a very sympathetic side as we see what she is going through. Carrell plays a jerk that makes Michael Scott look like Clark Kent very well. Faxon and Rudolph have some nice moments. Robb is the perfect girl next door figure. Finally...Rockwell is phenomenal here. What can I say about him that hasn't already been said? This performance follows a long line of films such as Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, Moon and Seven Psychopaths that prove just how amazing of an actor Rockwell is.
Writers-directors Faxon and Rash also direct the film with style. This is their first directing job (although they won the writing Oscar for last year's The Descendants...the fantastic Alexander Payne directed it) and considering this fact...they are quite amazing. Actually, I think this film is 100 times better than The Descendants (which I also loved.) As far as Faxon and Rash's careers...they're only just beginning.
Although it is a summer release and those tend to get lost in Oscar season....if this film doesn't win at least a couple of awards...the academy is robbing a truly great film. Fantastically made and even more expertly performed....The Way Way Back should be a magical experience for even the most cynical, cold hearted souls.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material)
No comments:
Post a Comment