So we are over half way through the year (already?) and it looks like I'm on track to beat last year's number of movies seen. For helping with this goal, I have to thank my Brisbane International Film Festival Film Club. As a member, you're entitled to at least 8 free movie screenings per year. And for 2013, they have been even more active with some months having 2 screenings. And now they have given me free tickets to what would have to be the feelgood movie of the year to date.
The Way Way Back is a silly title as it tells you nothing about the movie. It's actually a sweet movie about an awkward 14 year old boy who gets dragged on a summer vacation to his mother's boyfriend's beach house. Duncan is really not happy about the idea as he'd rather be with his dad, gets a hard time from the two-faced boyfriend, is ignored by the boyfriend's cool daughter and is unsure how to react to the boyfriend's summer group of friends who act as though they are on Spring Break. What is a shy, geeky young boy to do? Befriend the local king slacker man-child who runs the local water park of course! And keep his daily activities a secret from his mum too.
The movie succeeds for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there is no gimmick, no flashbacks and no big revelations. It's a simple tale, told in straight-forward linear fashion, of a young guy trying to find somewhere where being himself doesn't feel bad. But it doesn't hit you over the head with big life lessons to get there. The script is really restrained and well-written. The movie isn't distracted by being set in the 80s or 90s as so many 'coming of age' films tend to be, keeping itself pretty much time neutral - it could be any time in recent history really.
Secondly, the performances are really strong across the board. Liam James isn't a newcomer but you won't know his face I reckon, but he does a great job of conveying the misery of holidaying with parents and their friends. So many awkward moments are handled well. Toni Collette as the mum is excellent as usual, as the outwardly nice veneer of her boyfriend Trent is gradually peeled back as the summer progresses. Steve Carell as Trent gives the first really 'asshole' performance of his career and pulls it off convincingly. Alison Janney, Rob Corddry, Amanda Peet, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash provide good support as the often childish grownups. But Sam Rockwell (Moon, Charlie's Angels) steals the whole thing as slacker king Owen. A guy whose life is about running the local water park and being the king of the kids, while trying to hold onto a functional relationship with co-worker Caitlin (my favourite SNL comedian, Maya Rudolph). He does a great line in snappy banter and impressions but the core is a sweet heart which takes Duncan under his wing and helps him to be okay with himself.
I really can't find fault with anything in this movie. The great shame is that it has virtually no profile despite the big-name cast and no marketing push, so most people probably won't see this movie. What a crime. It's just a really nice movie that makes you feel good afterwards. Highly recommended.
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