THE WAY, WAY BACK

US, 2013, 103 minutes, Colour.
Liam James, Steve Carrell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell, Alison Janney, Anna Sophia Robb, Maya Rudolph, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash.
Directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash.

Troubles of a 14 year old adolescent? Again? Well, yes. But more interestingly explored than usual – and with some nicer touches.

Liam James is particularly convincing as Duncan, travelling to a holiday house on the Masssachusets Coast with his mother (Toni Collette) who has taken up with a divorced father, Trent, (Steve Carrell) and his rather self-centred teenage daughter. Duncan is sitting in the back of the car when Trent asks him how he would rate himself from one to ten. He tries six. He is a rather lugubrious looking boy and is dismayed when his prospective stepfather tells Duncan he thinks he is a three. And it rankles.

At first, the holiday is a disaster for Duncan. He is supportive of his mother, angry with Trent, putting up with his daughter. Then there is the extraverted-off-the-page next door neighbour (Alison Janney at her outrageously exuberant best) and her son with a cast in his eye and the somewhat unhappy daughter (Anna Sophia Robb). They all go into the mix for some very serious episodes and some humorous episodes to offer some balance.

But the best of the comedy and drama takes place at the theme swimming pool, Water Wizz, where Duncan comes across Owen (Sam Rockwell, with the touch of the zany, but with a while lot of sympathy), who befriends him, helps him work at Water Wizz (without his mother knowing) and the boy comes alive, is not literal in everything he hears, finds friends, including the girl from next door, opens up to be boy he could become. His communication with Owen is very effective, a father-figure when he needs one, not paternalistic but offering sensible advice and affirming him.

But, there are the heavy scenes, especially at the beach, where Trent is exposed as a thoughtless cad, and Duncan, beginning to defend his mother, upbraids her for not standing up for herself and for running away from crises. He surprises himself – and us – with this highly emotional and public outburst.

Audiences will enjoy various parts of the film depending on whom they are identifying with, the older generation or the younger. The screenplay highlights the vulnerability of a woman abandoned by her husband, trying to cope with her morose son, and testing the possibilities of a new relationship and being hurt and frustrated by it but not having the courage of the strength to do much about it. Toni Collette is particularly good at communicating the feelings and frustrations of this character. It is a surprise to see Steve Carrell playing such an obnoxious and fickle character as Trent. But it is Sam Rockwell who shows how someone very ordinary can have the power and the strength of character to enable a sad boy to begin to find himself.

The ending brings some kind of resolution but is still open.

The film was written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. The former plays Owen’s co-worker at the Water Wizz. Jim Rash plays the entertainingly hypochondriac, Lewis, who is always threatening to leave his kiosk – but doesn’t.

1. A coming of age film? A 14 year old boy? Comic and serious?

2. A summer vacation story, at the beach, the holiday house, the town, the Water Wizz? Musical score?

3. The title, as referring to Duncan, to the family, to the summer experience?

4. The focus on Duncan, with his back to Trent, in the car, Trent’s asking him about his number, his claiming six, Trent’s damning comments about a three? A morose boy? Relationship with his mother, his absent father? With Trent, Trent’s daughter? Meeting Betty, her son and daughter, the prospects for the holiday? Going to the beach with the girls, their ignoring him? And nerdish boy?

5. Pam and her story, her marriage, its failure, her love for her son? The relationship with Trent, her hopes? Working at the relationship, doing the domestic work? Meeting with Betty, the humour? Meeting with Kip and Joan, the meal? Pam as passive, accepting people’s treatment of her? Trent’s absence, the episode with Joan? His lies? The party, Duncan and his reaction to the truth, his outburst, Pam’s concern, Duncan rushing away? His condemnation of his mother’s passivity?

6. Trent, his failed marriage, divorce, his relationship with his daughter, letting her be free, his nastiness to Duncan in the car? In love with Pam or not? Joan and Kip, his lying about being on the boat, the affair with Joan, the scene at the beach, his reaction, apology? Decision to go home? Was he a better man after this holiday and these experiences?

7. The girls going to the beach, the chatter, the boys, expectations, the boys and their reactions, more interested in sport? Susannah, by herself, reading? At home, with her mother? Trent’s daughter and her beginning to rely on Pam?

8. Betty, her verve, chatter about Peter and his cast, with Susannah, always talking, drinking, eccentric?

9. Susannah, talking with Duncan, following him, sharing, his opening up with her? A good thing for her and her development?

10. Peter, his eye, the patch, going out with Duncan, enjoying himself, meeting Owen and Owen’s support? A lively boy?

11. Joan and Kip, the visit, Kip and his being quiet, Joan and her dancing, the reaction to the exposure of the affair?

12. Owen, driving behind the car, smiling at Duncan? As a character in himself, his work at the Water Wizz, with Caitlin, his experience, working, meeting people, friendly? His associate with the training, Lewis and his kiosk, wanting to leave, hypochondria, the farewell speech and people firing the water guns at
him? And his not leaving?

13. Owen and Duncan, Duncan taking things literally, Owen’s jokes, help, giving him jobs, helping the girls with their going down the slide, the sexy touch?
His being affirmed, coming on the rainy day, assembling and the chairs, talking with Owen, with Caitlin, his being the employee of the month? Duncan coming alive, happy?

14. The crisis for Duncan, his staying away, coming home with Peter, Trent and the decision to leave? His going back to the Water Wizz? His wanting to beat Owen? Preparing, going down the chute, winning? His mother coming to watch, happiness and pride? Duncan’s farewell and thanks to Owen, hugging him?

15. The group leaving, Duncan being a happier boy after his holiday, his work, friendship, affirmation? The future with his mother? Her future with Trent?