Between “The Descendants” — one of my top 10 movies of 2011 — and this summer’s “The Way Way Back,” screenwriters Nat Faxon and Jim Rash have become the masters of sweet-natured, gorgeous-looking, slice-of-life movies. This one will also easily make my year-end top 10, although the coming-of-age angle is more mainstream than the layered “Descendants.”
Also peppering in a touch of an “Adventureland” vibe — this one is set in a New England water park, rather than a theme park — “The Way Way Back” takes place in modern times. The tipoff is that Duncan (Liam James) wears earbuds when listening to music. Other than that, it’s timeless — and actually a bit of a throwback, as Duncan rides in a backward-facing rear station-wagon seat. Although the cast is jam-packed with talent, James — who played Sarah Linden’s kid on “The Killing” — steals the show largely because Faxon and Rash (who also co-direct) often focus the camera on him. Early in the film, we see him brooding while other characters go through their scenes.
Eventually, Duncan opens up when he meets a much-needed father figure in Water Wizz lifer Owen (Sam Rockwell, getting much-deserved award buzz). While I had a smile on my face throughout “The Way Way Back,” it’s actually a safe movie in a lot of ways. Duncan’s stepdad, Trent (Steve Carell), is a complete jackass — the name “Trent” fits him perfectly — starting the movie by labeling Duncan as a “three” out of 10. It’s not so much that cruel conversation that makes a viewer sympathize with Duncan rather than Trent. It’s the obvious fact that Trent’s type of parenting won’t work on this sensitive teen; Owen, despite being a screw-up in other parts of his life, naturally understands how to relate to a withdrawn kid.
Just as Faxon and Rash draw Trent with crystal clarity (I wouldn’t have minded seeing a more sympathetic side of him), they don’t make Duncan a total outcast. Sure, he’s a little awkward, but James actually exudes a “so uncool he’s cool” vibe. When Duncan rides around on a pink girls bike, it comes off as a too-cool-to-care move rather than an uncool one. I wouldn’t be surprised if James becomes a teen heartthrob in a few years.
Toni Collette, as Duncan’s mom Pam, does add some subtlety to the film, as we can see that she sees Duncan is miserable. She struggles to relate to him — not as hard as I wanted her to, but certainly she’s the good parent compared to Trent. AnnaSophia Robb comfortably blends into a supporting role here as the girl next door (literally) at the family’s beach house retreat; I didn’t think of “The Carrie Diaries” once.
Faxon pops up as the waterslide attendant with his usual lovable goofball charm — he somehow makes a middle-aged guy staring a teen girls’ asses innocently funny — whereas Rash disappears into his role as a park employee who is always threatening to quit but can never quite leave. Also look for Maya Rudolph, Allison Janney, Rob Corddry and Amanda Peet in supporting roles.
People who see the world just a bit differently than the norm will embrace Duncan and love “The Way Way Back.” But really, it’s hard to imagine anyone not finding this film pleasant, what with the beach and the lake house and the pool and the retro-ish soundtrack by modern artists. The message may be simple, but it’s worth a smile: There are very few problems in life that can’t be solved by talking with a good friend. (And meeting a cute girl at your beach house doesn’t hurt either.)