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The Way, Way Back

Play trailer Poster for The Way, Way Back PG-13 Released Jul 26, 2013 1h 43m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 186 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Duncan (Liam James) is an awkward teen who must spend the summer at a beach house with his mother (Toni Collette), her boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Trent's obnoxious daughter. Trent can't resist badgering Duncan, so the youth steals away to a water park and gets a job that will help him stay off Trent's radar. As Duncan tends to the slides and pools of the aging park, he finds a father figure in wisecracking park manager Owen (Sam Rockwell) at a time when he desperately needs one.
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The Way, Way Back

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Critics Consensus

Despite its familiar themes, The Way Way Back makes use of its talented cast, finely tuned script, and an abundance of charm to deliver a funny and satisfying coming-of-age story.

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Critics Reviews

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Amy Taubin Film Comment Magazine Sundance would not be Sundance without a few unbelievably stupid, clichéd, graceless movies in the mix. Aug 28, 2019 Full Review Wesley Morris Grantland The film has been complacently concocted for likability even as it gives you very little that's real, structured, or spontaneous enough to enjoy. Jan 6, 2014 Full Review Thelma Adams Yahoo! Movies If you're first act was writing the Oscar winning screenplay for "The Descendants," looking for an encore can be tough. But Nat Faxon and Jim Rash leveraged that win and made the leap to directing their own small-budget, bighearted coming of age comedy. Nov 1, 2013 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies There's just something about the way that The Way, Way Back is performed, written, and directed that sets it apart from other coming-of-age movies. Rated: 5/5 Dec 26, 2023 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies It’s refreshingly honest and surprisingly funny. There are also some fabulous characters brought to life through some good acting led by Rockwell. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 21, 2022 Full Review Josh Winning Radio Times Warm and well-meaning, with a fantastic soundtrack and a poignant ending that can't help but bring a lump to the throat. Rated: 4/5 May 13, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jose A I'm not a professional, imma keep it short and sweet. It's 2025, just re-watched it. It still holds up! One of my favorite movies! It's funny and wholesome! It reminds me to be kind to everyone. Family, doesn't have to be blood. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/01/25 Full Review Audience Member Really liked it. Fun, down-to-earth story. I thought the main kid did a good job, along with his friend. Sam Rockwell was also really good. I liked the way they portrayed the small, community based town. Good movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/25 Full Review Patrick Y This movie will not resonate with people who didn't grow up in a certain family dynamic. If you had a moderately dysfunctional childhood, this can hit hard. For people who grew up in a truly charmed life (or terribly awful) this can come across as cliche' and whiney. Personally I thought it was great. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review S R My friend had rented it and I had never heard of it. The ratings were decent and so was the movie. A good balance of drama and humor. A good coming of age movie. Some of the smut humor could’ve been left out, but it was tolerable. Saw on Amazon. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/27/24 Full Review Mason M This is one of the best balances of comedy and drama that I've seen. The Way Way Back has great and interesting characters and story, and is absolutely hilarious. This is a must-see film for the summer. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/20/24 Full Review Jason W I'm surprised how much I disliked this movie after seeing all the positive reviews. It's one of the most "movie-ish" movies I've ever seen. All of the characters are caricatures and all of the extras were very obviously extras. Everything seemed fake and outdated and formulaic about this film. The lead kid was a terrible actor and most of the characters were extremely annoying. It's also unclear when it was set. I believe it was set in 2013 with a nostalgia for the 80s, but my wife insisted it was actually set in the 80s. People are raving about Sam Rockwell's performance but I thought he was ridiculously over-the-top. The climax was hoaky and nowhere close to satisfying. I guess the best I can say is that neither my wife or I fell asleep while watching it. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/23/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Way, Way Back

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Cast & Crew

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Nat Faxon

Director

Jim Rash

Director

Steve Carell

Trent

Toni Collette

Pam

Allison Janney

Betty

AnnaSophia Robb

Susanna

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The Way, Way Back

Allison Janney as Betty in "The Way, Way Back." Liam James as Duncan and AnnaSophia Robb as Susanna in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Sam Rockwell as Owen and Liam James as Duncan in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Liam James as Duncan and Nat Faxon as Roddy in "The Way, Way Back." Liam James as Duncan and AnnaSophia Robb as Susanna in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Nat Faxon as Roddy, Sam Rockwell as Owen, Liam James as Duncan and Maya Rudolph as Caitlyn in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Sam Rockwell as Owen and Jim Rash as Lewis in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Nat Faxon as Roddy and Sam Rockwell as Owen in "The Way, Way Back." Sam Rockwell as Owen in "The Way, Way Back." Liam James as Duncan and AnnaSophia Robb as Susanna in "The Way, Way Back." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Duncan (Liam James) is an awkward teen who must spend the summer at a beach house with his mother (Toni Collette), her boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Trent's obnoxious daughter. Trent can't resist badgering Duncan, so the youth steals away to a water park and gets a job that will help him stay off Trent's radar. As Duncan tends to the slides and pools of the aging park, he finds a father figure in wisecracking park manager Owen (Sam Rockwell) at a time when he desperately needs one.
Director
Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Producer
Kevin J. Walsh, Tom Rice
Screenwriter
Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Production Co
Odd Lot Entertainment, Doubleyou Inc., Sycamore Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Brief Drug Material|Some Sexual Content|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 26, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 22, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$21.4M
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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