Remember “The Adventures of Pete & Pete?” “The Way, Way Back” would have been better as an episode of a coming-of-age show like that. As a film, it feels insubstantial and underdeveloped. Its parts are greater than their sum. Liam James stars as a shy, awkward teenager (is there any other kind?) named Duncan. While spending the summer in a beachside tourist town, Duncan finds himself affected by two men: his mom’s (Toni Collette) ornery new boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Owen (Sam Rockwell), the cool, charismatic manager of Water Wizz, a rundown waterslide park.
The Way, Way Back
The Way, Way Back
The Way, Way Back
Remember “The Adventures of Pete & Pete?” “The Way, Way Back” would have been better as an episode of a coming-of-age show like that. As a film, it feels insubstantial and underdeveloped. Its parts are greater than their sum. Liam James stars as a shy, awkward teenager (is there any other kind?) named Duncan. While spending the summer in a beachside tourist town, Duncan finds himself affected by two men: his mom’s (Toni Collette) ornery new boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Owen (Sam Rockwell), the cool, charismatic manager of Water Wizz, a rundown waterslide park.