Teen Angst is a Beach in the ‘The Way, Way Back’

The “way, way back” refers to the farthest set of seats that used to be in the old station wagons. You know, the ones that offer a back window view of cars coming up behind you. That position describes (literally and figuratively) where the teenage Duncan (Liam James) finds himself in The Way, Way Back, the charming new indie flick written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, the duo that penned The Descendants screenplay. Duncan is disconnected from other kids and currently isn’t much of a priority for his divorced parents.

As Duncan, his mom Pam (Toni Collette), her boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell) and his daughter drive to Trent’s summer home. On route, Trent starts grilling Duncan about rating his sex appeal. “I think you’re a three,” he tells the boy quite bluntly.  It’s a ridiculous conversation, but the verbal punch lands brutally on the already emotionally bruised outcast.

Once the family arrives at the beach, things don’t get any better. The adults drink too much. Trent’s daughter immediately abandons gangly Duncan to ogle the popular boys. And one night Duncan catches Trent fooling around with a neighbor. As the vacation from hell heats up, Duncan seeks refuge at Water Wizz, a nearby waterpark where he meets Owen (Sam Rockwell), the free-wheeling fun guy who ostensibly runs the place. Owen gives him a custodial job and Duncan throws himself into the gig, relishing the company (and confidence) it brings.

Predictably enough, Duncan has an ugly confrontation with his mother and Trent. But despite the familiarity of this nostalgic coming-of-age tale and the lack of any real plot twist, the film is still a real gem. Rockwell is terrific as the fast-talking Owen and James does a decent job of showing Duncan’s quiet anger and transformation from an awkward boy to young man. Carell is even believable as a bad guy. And Rash himself provides a good comic turn as Lewis, the nerdy Water Wizz towel boy who keeps threatening to find another job. One of the summer’s most enjoyable movies.