'THE WAY, WAY BACK'

'THE WAY, WAY BACK' (PG-13)(3 1/2 STARS)

Written and Directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Actors: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Liam James, Sam Rockwell, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb, Rob Corddry, Amanda Peet, Jim Rash, Nat Faxon, Maya Rudolph.

I remember those summers when I was a kid where school was out and freedom could be explored for only a few months but it could seem like a lifetime. The summer for Duncan, our hero in the charming new "Way, Way Back", will start off in a negative way. It is because Duncan's parents are separated, his father is away and his mother, Pam, has found a new boyfriend and he is a big jerk. His name is Trent and we first see Duncan, Trent, his daughter and Pam in a car about to go to Trent's summer home. Trent asks what Duncan would rate himself on a scale from 1-10 and when Duncan finally answers a 6, Trent says Duncan is a 3, what an ass!

Duncan's mother thinks she has found that special someone to spend time with but Duncan can see through this jerk's veneer. Duncan is a character we have seen before and "The Way, Way Back" is that coming of age summer drama we have seen before. We know where the story is going but we don't know what will happen to this wonderful cast of characters through the process. I identify with Duncan because I was shy, withdrawn and awkward when I was a teenager but that is not why I loved this movie. I love this movie because it is truthful, real, touching, funny and charming as hell. It is one of the best times I have had at a movie recently and it will cheer audiences up and keep them highly entertained.

"The Way, Way Back" also is set at a water park called "Water Whizz", based on a real Eastern water park, where Duncan will find a new adult friend. He is Owen and he is played by the most under rated, little known actor on screen today, Sam Rockwell. Yes his character will remind you of Bill Murray's camp counselor in "Meatballs" but a lot of the audience seeing this movie will not have seen that 70's cult classic. Also Rockwell makes the character all his own giving an original performance that is my favorite performance by an actor in 2013 so far. This is probably the best young character actor in this business with his energy, charm, sense of humor and comic perfection that rivals any comic actor today period.

Duncan will start working at the water park and Owen will take him under his wings leading to a touching friendship and a scene between the two that made me cry. Trent also has neighbors in three, real and original characters, a family led by a boozing woman played brilliantly by Allison Janney. The son and daughter of this woman are charming and real kids and the daughter, Susanna, is someone Duncan will have a crush on and she is played by the very capable and beautiful AnnaSophia Robb. The scenes in the water park remind me of my favorite movie of 2009, "Adventureland", and I love that movie! Though they are both very different and would make one of my favorite double features of all time!

"The Way, Way Back" was written by the brilliant team of Jim Rash and Nat Faxon who wrote the Oscar winning screenplay for "The Descendants". I liked this movie a lot more and it shows that these two writers, who are also great comedy actors, are real smart writers and I can't wait for their next movie! Steve Carell plays against type as the jerky Trent and it shows Carell can do drama or comedy or romance equally great. Liam James is likable and very good as Duncan and Toni Collette as Pam shows us that like Rockwell she is a great, undervalued actress. Robb, Janney, Corddry and Peet are also amazing. This is Sam Rockwell's movie in my opinion, his character is the catalyst for Duncan's growth and Rockwell has to get award recognition right away!. He is our best actor today who movie goers don't know and they should!