Customer Ratings & Reviews

The Way Way Back is a solid, charming coming of age story about a 14 year old Duncan (Liam James) who spends summer vacation with his mom (Tony Collette), his mom's bully boyfriend (Steve Carell) and his equally affectionate daughter. Duncan finds a summer job working in a water park run by an aloof owner (Sam Rockwell) and his manager (Maya Rudolph), as he begins to find something of his own and sense of self-worth romancing the cute, different girl-next door (Annasophia Robb). Sound familiar? Don't look for a game changer instead relish a well applied formula, executed for maximum effect. Written and directed by Nat Faxton and (Academy Award winning screenwriter of The Descendants) Jim Rash, this movie is based on their experiences growing up so and their control of emotions on screen are simply on point; funny, raw, charming, and disarming. The Way Way Back is a surprising little movie about growing up and finding self-respect in more than one aspect. Full recommendations.

Great cast! Funny and heartwarming. Something to watch multiple times.

To start off, let me say that I saw this movie twice in theaters. I absolutely loved it. I believe it is made by the people who made Little Miss Sunshine but I have yet to see that one. I just found that this was an extremely well done movie and the acting in it was great too. I went to see this movie without any idea what it was about mostly for Steve Carrell and while he isn't that big of a role he did a great job and I enjoyed the rest of the movie as well. To give a basis of what the movie is about without spoilers, it's about an awkward kid with divorced parents. Him, his mom and her boyfriend go to a vacation home for the summer that he does not want to be a part of. His mom's boyfriend (Carrell) is a jerk and he hates him and he ends up at a waterpark where he is offered a job for the summer where he makes friends and feels like he belongs. At the very least rent this movie, you won't be disapointed.

although The Way Way Back doesn't feature a star studded cast, all of the characters are perfect for their roles. The most highly recognized actor, Steve Carell plays a mean step father to the main character Liam James. On family vacation together, James feeling completely alone and left out by his mother, decides to spend most of his time at a near by water park.He makes an incredible friend who shows him how much more there is too life than bad parenting. Buy this movie, it will leave you feeling good and most of all it's less than 10$ for the blu ray. awesome deal.

I really enjoyed this film. It is quirky fun with a well written script and well acted to boot. Although a comedy, the plot dealt with some difficult subject matter as broken families and the challenge of new relationships. The main character is a boy forced to accompany his mother on a summer vacation with her boy friend and his daughter. Many humorous scenes and some edgy surprises ensue with no foul language whatsoever. This is a highly recommended film.

Nat Faxon and Jim Rash have done it again with this satisfying story about a boy who is trying to find how he fits in with the world around him. Faxon and Rash first won acclaim with their 2011 screenwriting credit for "The Descendants." They won an academy award for their efforts on that film and I'm sure it helped quite a bit when it came to securing funding to co-direct this one. The movie has plenty of laughs but also dives into more serious topics as well, creating a well-rounded journey.

If you like coming of age stories, this movie is for you. Not only does Steve Carell play the sort-of-bad-guy, but a real nice performance by Sam Rockwell also is a pleasant surprise. The main character is a self-reserved kid who is just bothered by the separation of his parents and especially his mom's almost year long boyfriend. Upon vacationing, the main character, Duncan, really starts to break out of his shell as he discovers new opportunities and starts to be not so reserved. If you do not like coming of age stories, then this definitely is not the movie for you.

First of all, Best Buy sold this for 5 bucks--on Blu Ray! I hadn't even seen it, but couldn't turn down that deal. I was not disappointed. I had grown tired of the so-called "coming of age" stories, but this movie is fantastic. It has humor and heart. It wraps up nicely, but not in a way that takes you out of the story. A happy ending? Maybe. A satisfying ending? Absolutely. Great writing, acting, and who doesn't love a good water park-set story!?

Great movie from last summer that is super cheap right now on bluray. One of the best films of the summer. Great cast, great story, and some truly hilarious moments. A great little coming of age story around a quirky, misunderstood 14 year old, who travels to his mothers boyfriends beach house one summer and makes a new friend at a local waterpark. The sharp dialogue and great cast make this film one of the best of the year!

I loved this movie when I watched this in theaters when it came out, and I love this movie just as much at home. Liam James plays the right amount of awkward teenager in a quality cast all around. Sam Rockwell plays the lovable man-child manager of the water park that works as an escape for Liam James' character. I love this coming-of-age story with the right amount of awkward to funny to depressing feelings throughout.

This is a wonderful coming of age movie that has superb performances. I must admit that having spent a considerable amount of time on Cape Cod I sensed a bit of nostalgia as I watched. Sam Rockwell is a hoot in a role that should have earned him nominations and Steve Carell gives an outstanding against type portrayal of a classic creep. A foreshadowing of his performance in Foxcatcher. Highly recommended

The Way Way Back is a heart felt and entertaining movie. The characters are true to life with their feelings and reactions to stressors in life. People don't always make the best decisions and can often be cruel. Duncan is a 14 year old boy growing up in a world that he is struggling to fit into. One summer, he experiences a water park with employees that find him fitting the potential he can grow into.

The way way back is a coming of age movie and follows shy Duncan on his summer vacation with mother and step dad. I'm sure the relationship between Duncan and parents will be familiar to many people. The good thing about this type of movie is that it focuses more on characters and you get a real sense, feel and empathy for several characters. The cast is strong and in addition to the lead played by Liam James you have the likes of Steve Carell, Toni Collette and Sam Rockwell.

This is a wonderful film about the pain of growing up, getting a crush and dealing with a broken family. The cast is wonderful, especially Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell and Steve Carrell. The script is fantastic and it really makes you appreciate how tough growing up is. Picture quality, sound and extras are all top notch. Definitely a must buy.

an awesome story of a young man going through his teens with a recently divorced mother and her boyfriend. For any person who has gone through this, this is a must watch. Felt a connection with the character and you go thru everything with this character. You laugh, get frustrated and just overall have a good time through out this movie. thought this was a great movie.

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Great acting by Steve Carrell, who is out of character as the straight man that no one likes. Sam Rockwell always turns in great performances and this turn is no different. He is extremely funny and energetic as the park's manager. The main character, whose name escapes me, is thoroughly believable as the adolescent going through a rough time after his parents divorced. All in all it's worth a watch.

This surprising comedy has a little bit of everything. It is the story of teenage boy set to spend the summer at his mothers boyfriends beach house. As he struggles with the reality of the situation he finds some new friends to help him through. This movie was much better than I thought it would be and provided not only laughs, but made you feel good throughout.

The movie begins with 14 year old Duncan being dragged on a family trip with his mother and her over bearing boyfriend. Although he feels that he is trapped, he manages to meet a gregarious friend (Rockwell) who he forms a powerful bond and who teaches him to swim through the challenges of life resulting in a life changing experience. Packaging, blu-ray, picture and sound quality good. Presented in 185:1 aspect ratio.

Duncan is a teenage boy who's on summer vacation with his mom (Toni Collette), her boyfriend (Steve Carell), and his daughter. He hates his Mom's new boyfriend who degrades him every chance they're alone and would rather live with his dad. He finds a new friend in the manager of a nearby water park (Sam Rockwell) and begins working there. Working at the water park seems to be the only time he is happy.

This is a movie with solid actiing, good plot, good message, and it is suitable for anyone in the family to watch. Not a lot of movies come along like this. In my opinion, it is a coming-of-age movie that older preteens and young teens should enjoy. It held the interest of my 11 year old daughter and she still quotes line from the movie.