BrianSez's Review

Summary - Great 4.0

A great coming of age in the summertime story, The Way Way Back is a mix of well portreyed typical teen subjects: trouble with mom’s boyfriend, trying to get the girl, and growth under the tutelage of a mentor who needs some growth himself. This is a feel good movie that stands up to many of the greats of the genre and will leave you yearning for a trip to the water park.

Acting - Very Good 3.5

For a funny man, Steve Carell does remarkably well as the prick-ish mom-boyfriend

Toni Collette – shows her acting chops as the actor showing how sufferers act.

Allison Janney – wow! I’ve haven’t seen this good a job at the boozing divorcee in a long time!

Liam James, the focus of the show, shows great range as a brooding awkward teen who transforms to an independant and confident young man

Sam Rockwell is a dry-humor hoot! The whole “slacker as a mentor” schtick isn’t new, but Sam does it like no other.

Film - Great 4.0

Edge - Tame 1.4

Reality - Glib 1.6

2 Comments

• Wick Oct 14, 2013 8:51PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  A teen grows “under the tutelage of a mentor who needs some growth himself.” Now that’s a great observation.

• Wick Jul 30, 2013 10:55PM

  Regarding Tripod’s Review
  “I left the theatre wishing I had found the path that would have me running the Water Wizz and married to a boozing broad like Betty.” Now that would’ve been an interesting life.

• Feed
• Movies
• ViewLists
• NewOnDemand