Indie Film Spotlight: "The Way Way Back"

Summer vacation at the beach may sound great to some people, but not to young Duncan, whose growing pains are exacerbated by his mom's mean spirited boyfriend in the new film The Way Way Back. The title refers to the rear end of a station wagon that serves as a seat and is frequently coveted by youngsters. Viewers initially meet Duncan (Liam James) in the way way back, as he deals with Trent (Steve Carell), who appears to be out to ruin the youngster's self image. Making things more difficult is the fact that Brent is the current boyfriend of his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), who seems oblivious to the burgeoning problems between them. The shy and introverted Duncan would rather be with his father instead of taking a trip to the beach with his mom and Trent.

Duncan is about to come of age, but needs something to push him to become the person that he is destined to be. He finds just that person, Owen (Sam Rockwell), at Water Wizz, a local water park. Owen is the antithesis of Trent and encourages Duncan to open himself up to new experiences, as well as being more friendly with the opposite sex. Eventually, Duncan starts working at Water Wizz, but decides not to tell his mom, who appears too preoccupied to notice him anyway. Duncan spends most of his time away from the beach house and away from Trent's aggravation. However, he discovers a secret that Trent has been hiding, but is not sure how to tell his mom. However, everything eventually comes out, as Duncan emerges from his shell, ready to claim his new life.

The Way Way Back is a familiar coming of age story that is elevated by the fine performances from the talented cast, including star Liam James, who receive more screen time than his veteran co-stars. Sam Rockwell is also well cast as the free spirited Owen, who grows to care for Duncan and appears to understand what he is going through. He realizes that Duncan needs encouragement and a proper role model/father figure in his life. In addition, Allison Janney is a breath of fresh air as another free spirit (there must be something in the water), Betty, who is friends with Pam. Janney lights up the screen in every scene in which she appears. Steve Carell, playing against type (unless you count his role as Gru in Despicable Me), is believable as Trent, an irritating and condescending cad.

Nat Faxon and Jim Rash serve as co-writers and co-directors and also appear in small roles. Their performances and their screenplay are both better than their direction, which seems to occasionally lose focus. When Duncan is front and center, The Way Way Back works best, but when the focus is on the bloated supporting cast and their assorted melodrama, it appears to lose steam. In any event, this coming of age film is a solid summertime viewing option that reminded me of the term "feel good movie of the summer" that was once overused and annoying, but is applicable to this entertaining and amusing Indie effort.