The Way Way Back is, I think, supposed to be an uplifting
coming of age story that makes you feel inspired and happy to be alive. Some of the film
definitely hits that home but for me the extremely dark undertones of guilt,
ignorance, mysogny and discrimination turned this from being an enjoyable uplifting
film into a kind of disconcerting study of a troubled boy.
Part of the problem for me was watching Steve Carrell bring out his dark side. Boy did he nail his role! It almost seems like the comedic side in real life is just there so that this seething, angry side is kept under control in how he plays his part so convincingly. His character is one of the worst on screen portrayals of a father I’ve ever seen yet, he never physically hurts any one, it’s all just emotional mind games. Ergh, he made me shiver.
Then you have the wonderful Toni Collette, whom I love, playing this shrivelled up excuse for a mother. All defeated and down trodden who no longer cares enough for her geeky son nor stands up for him. She doesn't even stand up for herself and is too scared to make any life changing decisions going forward incase they backfire.
In the middle is Liam James' character Duncan: a shy teenager who is awkward and geeky. Liam's acting is superb and definitely holds the films story together. The thing is, his character is so affected by these trashed up humans who are supposed to be his Mum and her Boyfriend that it made me feel uncomfortable to watch. I know he was supposed to have a story arc of growing up and getting on top of things, but his portrayal of being so badly mind-fucked by his so called parents is something I don’t think he can ever truly get away from and ultimately means that the movies story is impossible to believe.
Next to the misery of the dysfunctional family there is a very light hearted and joyful angle given to the film by the sensational Sam Rockwell and a charmingly over the top Allison Janney. Sam's character is the owner of a nearby water park who employs and looks after Duncan and Allison’s character is the zany next door neighbour who is always drunk. I know these two are supposed to balance out the misery of Duncan's life, and they help, but to me it wasn’t enough.
The story is actually great fun (thankfully!) when it’s taking place in the water park and Sam Rockwell is just an absolute legend. With how much sadness I felt for Duncan the character, the hope that Sam's character imparts on him gave me butterflies. I just wish I could believe that was enough for Duncan to break away by from the evil clutches of his useless mother and Evil Steve.
Overall it’s a pretty in-depth emotional study and a well-made flick. I've never seen a film quite hit all the beats like this one does and the acting is brilliant by the whole cast. I guess in parting I don’t think Duncan will survive and the ending was unclear as to his fate, which is disappointing and possibly reflects a bit of a hole in the script or story for me personally.
SCORE: 6/10
IMDB Info for The Way Way Back
Part of the problem for me was watching Steve Carrell bring out his dark side. Boy did he nail his role! It almost seems like the comedic side in real life is just there so that this seething, angry side is kept under control in how he plays his part so convincingly. His character is one of the worst on screen portrayals of a father I’ve ever seen yet, he never physically hurts any one, it’s all just emotional mind games. Ergh, he made me shiver.
Then you have the wonderful Toni Collette, whom I love, playing this shrivelled up excuse for a mother. All defeated and down trodden who no longer cares enough for her geeky son nor stands up for him. She doesn't even stand up for herself and is too scared to make any life changing decisions going forward incase they backfire.
In the middle is Liam James' character Duncan: a shy teenager who is awkward and geeky. Liam's acting is superb and definitely holds the films story together. The thing is, his character is so affected by these trashed up humans who are supposed to be his Mum and her Boyfriend that it made me feel uncomfortable to watch. I know he was supposed to have a story arc of growing up and getting on top of things, but his portrayal of being so badly mind-fucked by his so called parents is something I don’t think he can ever truly get away from and ultimately means that the movies story is impossible to believe.
Next to the misery of the dysfunctional family there is a very light hearted and joyful angle given to the film by the sensational Sam Rockwell and a charmingly over the top Allison Janney. Sam's character is the owner of a nearby water park who employs and looks after Duncan and Allison’s character is the zany next door neighbour who is always drunk. I know these two are supposed to balance out the misery of Duncan's life, and they help, but to me it wasn’t enough.
The story is actually great fun (thankfully!) when it’s taking place in the water park and Sam Rockwell is just an absolute legend. With how much sadness I felt for Duncan the character, the hope that Sam's character imparts on him gave me butterflies. I just wish I could believe that was enough for Duncan to break away by from the evil clutches of his useless mother and Evil Steve.
Overall it’s a pretty in-depth emotional study and a well-made flick. I've never seen a film quite hit all the beats like this one does and the acting is brilliant by the whole cast. I guess in parting I don’t think Duncan will survive and the ending was unclear as to his fate, which is disappointing and possibly reflects a bit of a hole in the script or story for me personally.
SCORE: 6/10
IMDB Info for The Way Way Back
I loved it, but im a sucker for these sort of quirky indie 'coming of age' comedies like Adventureland, Juno & Kings of Summer. Personally I see the ending as Pam breaking free from the stranglehold that Trent had over her. She - and by association Duncan - will no longer be under his spell. Duncan has his mum back. Pam will no longer let men walk over her. I saw it as a positive ending.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favourites of the year, well inside my top 10 for the year to date. 8/10