The Way Way Back (2013)
84%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 30 nominations
Despite its familiar themes, The Way Way Back makes use of its talented cast, finely tuned script, and an abundance of charm to deliver a funny and satisfying coming-of-age story
The Way, Way Back” is a coming-of-age movie that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between. With a fantastic soundtrack and an amazing cast, this movie is a must-watch for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in. Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney steal the show with their comedic performances, while the poignant ending will leave you with a lump in your throat. Don’t miss out on this small-budget, bighearted gem of a film.
Production Company(ies)
Paranoid Pictures,
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Water Wizz – 3031 Cranberry Hwy, East Wareham, Massachusetts, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material
Year of Release
2013
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 43m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 26, 2013 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 22, 2013
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Liam James, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, directed by Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, written by Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, Comedy, Drama, PG-13, box office performance, $21.4M, reviewed by Amy Taubin, Wesley Morris, Thelma Adams, J R Jones, Nigel Andrews, Catherine Shoard, Steve Carell as Trent, Toni Collette as Pam, Allison Janney as Betty, AnnaSophia Robb as Susanna, Sam Rockwell as Owen, Maya Rudolph as Caitlin, Kevin J Walsh as producer, Tom Rice as producer, Dolby Digital sound mix, coming-of-age story, beach house, water park, father figure, summer, awkward teen, obnoxious daughter, wisecracking park manager, charm, talented cast, finely tuned script
Worldwide gross: $26,474,920
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $33,632,363
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,508
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 3,667,651
US/Canada gross: $21,506,546
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $27,320,798
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,302
US/Canada opening weekend: $552,788
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $702,233
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,322
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $6,351,740
Production budget ranking: 1,830
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $3,420,412
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $23,860,210
ROI to date (est.): 244%
ROI ranking: 542
Toni Collette – Pam
Allison Janney – Betty
AnnaSophia Robb – Susanna
Sam Rockwell – Owen
Maya Rudolph – Caitlin
Nat Faxon – Roddy
Jim Rash – Lewis
Liam James – Duncan
Rob Corddry – Kip
Amanda Peet – Joan
Zoe Levin – Steph
River Alexander – Peter
Natalia Abelleyra – Mom
Adam Riegler – Neil
Jeremy Weaver – Jason
Robert Capron – Kyle
Devin Barry – Chad
Emmalyn Anderson – Katy
Ava Deluca-Verley – Katy’s Friend
Jeffrey Ryan – Water Wizz Employee
Colleen Hitchcock – Water Wizz Employee
Jay Gates – Water Wizz Employee
Jeremiah Birkett – Water Wizz Employee
Caroline Keeler – Water Wizz Employee
Paula Pell – Water Wizz Employee
Robert Garcia – Water Wizz Employee
Natasha Lyonne – Betty’s Friend (uncredited)
Director(s)
Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Writer(s)
Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Producer(s)
Kevin J. Walsh, Tom Rice
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 30 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (188) | Top Critics (61) | Fresh (157) | Rotten (31)
Sundance would not be Sundance without a few unbelievably stupid, clichéd, graceless movies in the mix.
August 28, 2019
Amy Taubin
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The film has been complacently concocted for likability even as it gives you very little that’s real, structured, or spontaneous enough to enjoy.
January 6, 2014
Wesley Morris
Grantland
TOP CRITIC
If you’re first act was writing the Oscar winning screenplay for “The Descendants,” looking for an encore can be tough. But Nat Faxon and Jim Rash leveraged that win and made the leap to directing their own small-budget, bighearted coming of age comedy.
November 1, 2013
Thelma Adams
Yahoo! Movies
TOP CRITIC
Nice comedic work from Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney buoys this pleasant but routine coming-of-age drama by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash.
September 10, 2013
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Never mind the text; feel the texture.
August 29, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
For all the longueurs, there are still enough moments of near brilliance to sustain you through the trip.
August 29, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
Catherine Shoard
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Warm and well-meaning, with a fantastic soundtrack and a poignant ending that can’t help but bring a lump to the throat.
May 13, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Josh Winning
Radio Times
Every so often, a movie comes along and not only surprises you for its quality, but completely satisfies the emotional investment and trust you put into it.
March 8, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Don Shanahan
Every Movie Has a Lesson
An accomplished acting ensemble led by Collette, Steve Carell and Sam Rockwell make a difficult task look deceptively easy.
December 10, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
I cannot sing the praises of this film often enough. Just wonderful.
April 3, 2021
Charlotte Harrison
Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies
The Way Way Back touches on certain important matters, while turning a blind eye to much, much bigger ones. It is relatively easy on itself and on the world.
February 27, 2021
Joanne Laurier
World Socialist Web Site
Presents its story with consistent heart, infused with a wealth of eccentric characters that ensures the poignancy is perpetually alternated with laughs.
December 4, 2020 | Rating: 6/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins…
Plot
Duncan (Liam James) is not a popular kid and it doesn’t look like the summer is going to offer anything better for him. His mother’s boyfriend has invited them to his beach house where Duncan is expected to improve his personality and physical appearance, and meet girls. But his would-be step-sister doesn’t want anything to do with him and his shy demeanor makes it difficult for him to meet anybody new. When Duncan wanders into the Water Wizz, the local water park, he meets adult employees who are just having fun. Owen (Sam Rockwell) lets Duncan work with him and their new-found bond will help each other mature and find their place in life. Which for Duncan means standing up to his would-be step-father, having a conversation with the girl next door and being more comfortable with who he is.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Way Way Back features a talented cast including Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, and Sam Rockwell.
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