The Way, Way Back

Writing buddies Jim Rash and Nat Faxon co-wrote highly-praised Alexander Payne film The Descendants, which helped take both of them to the Oscar stage to collect the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Fast forward two years and Faxon and Rash make their directorial debut in the Summer film that can, should and (hopefully) will have everybody laughing their heads off whilst feeling like they're a part of the story themselves.

The Way, Way Back is a hilarious joyride from our writer/director team, telling the story of young Duncan (Liam James from TV's The Killing), a 14 year old being dragged against his will to spend the Summer at a beach house with his recently-divorced mom Pam (Toni Collette), her new boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell in a very different role for our perennial funny man) and his bratty daughter Steph (Zoe Levin). We instantly learn just why this new arrangement is so uncomfortable for Duncan, and from there the audience follows Duncan in his pursuit to try and make something of his Summer.

This is an ensemble film through and through, and is one of those films that could potentially make its way through to our Oscar season by the strength of the ensemble alone. Allison Janney is a scene-stealer as the always-loaded neighbour Betty, and Sam Rockwell is excellent as Duncan's Summer buddy Owen, both of whom light-up the scene the second they step on camera. Collette isn't given much to do for the first half of the film, but when called on, she is always excellent; as previously mentioned Carell plays a role outside his usual territory, and he does the unlikeable Trent absolute justice. AnnaSophia Robb, Maya Rudolph, Rash himelf and River Alexander all should be commended for their smaller but important contributions to the film as well, and Duncan himself is absolutely terrific as our eyes to the story.

The writing itself, much like Betty, is loaded too, and the only criticism I could perhaps give it is that it is too much so; I was too busy laughing at the last joke before I could hear the next. Some of the jokes did fall slightly flat, but that doesn't take away from the gold it does establish. At times it did feel slightly forced, but once again, the genius is still there for the most part. The great thing about the film is that the jokes never detract from the realistic and believable plot, which truly does tug at hearts harder than an attack, and by the end, both Rash and Faxon will have you eating out of their hands. It's Little Miss Sunshine meets Adventureland, but it truly takes the best of both to create what is a beautiful and funny comedy.

The Way, Way Back is a brilliant piece of writing with an ensemble to die for. I would find it hard to imagine any other film being the little comedy that could this year, and it's certainly a huge improvement on Rash and Faxon's previous Oscar-winning effort, with a far more convincing and on-tone screenplay which they direct well. This is the Summer comedy to check out; it will have you laughing and crying with almost equal measure, and the ending will melt your heart.