The Way, Way Back Review
RYAN: I’m glad to have my pal Eric Wightman join me for this review. I really enjoy talkin’ movies with him and this movie is from the studio that brought us Juno and Little Miss Sunshine. I loved it. It’s a quintessential dramedy, super funny with touching drama.
ERIC: It’s the perfect, anti-Summer movie. It’s not a blockbuster; but it’s very likable and easy to watch.
RYAN: It’s written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, who won the Oscar for co-writing The Descendants and also appear in the film in comedic roles. The whole cast is phenomenal. Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell…
ERIC: Allison Janney…
RYAN: Allison Janney, who by the way, has a first scene worthy of an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. I’d hand her the award right now!
ERIC: I thought the same thing. She steals the show and I wish she had been in the movie even more. Her first scene is just perfect.
RYAN: It’s one of the most refreshingly funny and enjoyable scenes to watch. She’s quite underrated as an actress. She does character work, rarely leading roles, but this role for her, and the first scene in particular, is so brilliant. She’s won a few Emmys but now she needs an Oscar. Hilarious. It’s early in the year to buzz, but she deserves a nomination, at least.
ERIC: The tone of her role is outstanding.
RYAN: I’m a fan of Steve Carell. I enjoy him in comedy and he’s one of the few comedians who also gets cast in dramatic roles once in a while, as is the case here. He’s not comedic at all in this film and I really hated his character which is a testament to how well he handled it.
ERIC: Correct. It takes a minute to forget you’re watching Steve Carell, who you expect to be funny all the time. He’s playing against type and as the movie went on, I bought into it more and more.
RYAN: Toni Collette looks amazing. I still think of her from Muriel’s Wedding and then love seeing her look so good. She’s awesome.
ERIC: We should also talk about the young actor, Liam James, who plays Duncan. This is his coming of age story. I thought he captured the awkwardness of being 14-years-old and not knowing how to handle yourself around adults and other kids. I really believed him in this.
RYAN: I didn’t love him. I know he’s going through an awkward stage but I just didn’t always buy him. He was a bit out of his league in this film with these seasoned actors – too wooden for my taste.
ERIC: I really felt that even when his delivery was off or different than what his A-list costars were doing, it felt like it was the character. It added to his role for me.
RYAN: He did, however, completely make you feel like you’re 14 again , watching him in some of those “first” moments between with AnnaSophia Robb’s character.
ERIC: Right.
RYAN: One of the major themes in this film is social-awkwardness. So many of the characters are socially awkward and inappropriate. You see it also in characters played by Amanda Peet and others.
ERIC: All of the adults and their behaviors, trying to cope and fit in, even as adults… shows it doesn’t go away, whether you’re 14 or 40.
RYAN: Another theme is that of broken families. This movie really makes you feel what it might be like to be torn between two parents, even if you can’t personally identify. That was powerful.
ERIC: Sam Rockwell’s character is put to good use. There are many intense things going on but when he shows up, it lightens up the tone again and to see Duncan come out of his shell interacting with Sam’s character was great.
RYAN: I just wanna grab a beer with Sam’s chacarter in this film. What did you think of the soundtrack?
ERIC: It was low key but fit the tone of summer in Cape Cod.
RYAN: The score was great and when there were songs, it always felt ’70s.
ERIC: There’s not a very modern feel to it… even back to the REO Speedwagon reference in the film.
RYAN: Maybe I’ve seen too many movies with crazy-drama, but I almost expected the drama to be a bit more dramatic.
ERIC: There was a moment I expected more confrontation, as well, but it didn’t occur.
RYAN: It still hooks you in though.
ERIC: It’s certainly underplayed instead of going for more cliched drama. Oh, there was also Maya Rudolph.
RYAN: She’s someone I find myself giggling at even though she’s not particularly funny in this film. Even more so than Steve, I’m conditioned to laugh at her.
ERIC: I wish they would have used her more. She has great screen presence and it would have been nice to have seen more of her.
RYAN: It’s PG-13 and I certainly think this plays well to adults. I know my friends would love it. And I think it opens up some interesting points to talk to teens about.
ERIC: I wondered for younger audiences whether they will find this interesting. It might be a little slow for them. But if you’re looking for a fun movie about people and relationships, this is a good option.
RYAN: Although there are not any special effects in this film and it’s certainly not a blockbuster, I recommend it because the story and performances are strong enough to justify getting out to see it. If you’re in the mood for a smaller movie, this is a great pick.
