The Way Way Back - B

Rated PG-13, 103 minutes

Familiar "The Way Way Back" a bittersweet, well-acted coming-of-age story

Liam James and Anna Sophia-Robb

"The Way Way Back" is all about the summer vacation you've always wanted to have. Touching and genuine, it's nothing new but it's destined to be the sleeper hit of a season in need of one. It tells the story of shy, awkward 14-year-old Duncan's (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell) and the pretty girl next door (Anna Sophia-Robb). Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park, who helps him see the world a little differently. Co-directed and written by the Oscar-winning writing team of Nat Faxon and Jim Rash from "The Descendants," it's a a winning, somewhat bittersweet entry in the quirky, fun coming-of-age-story with a cast that makes it universally better. Teen actor Liam James of TV's "The Killing" and "Psych" grounds the film well as the lanky teenager trying desperately to find a place he's happy at, though most of the attention will likely come from the adults. The usually comic Carrell plays against type in a serious role as a Grade A douche bag you'll love to hate from the opening frame of the film. Also memorable in a small role is "The West Wing's" Allison Janney as a blowsy friend that may remind classic film lovers of the late Shelley Winters in her prime (for younger viewers, she was the Grandma on "Roseanne"). The charming Rockwell is also strong throughout the film, providing some of the film's lighter moments ("this isn't even my best material" he exclaims when he elicits the wrong reaction to a joke), and watch for directors/writers and actors Faxon and Rash as two of his endearing co-workers. Surprisingly, the underwritten, all-too familiar story is the film's biggest weakness, lacking the emotional and romantic gravitas of "The Descendants," but it works well because of the great performances, even when it tends to rely on some of Rockwell's (admittedly funny) jokes. Satisfying, amusing and well-acted, "The Way Way Back," named for where the main character has to sit in the station wagon, reminds us that it isn't all bad to find your happy place and be yourself. This may be a good companion piece to another fun current release coming-of-age-movie  "The Kings of Summer," and you will thank yourself for paying to see both this summer.

Wes's Grade: B