The Way Way Back

If you’ve ever felt like the odd one out at a summer barbecue, “The Way Way Back” taps right into that sweet spot of warm-weather awkwardness. It’s a comedy, but not in the slapstick or zany sense — more like a bittersweet, coming-of-age flavor, with a script that lands somewhere between cringe and catharsis. The tone is mostly laid-back, but peppered with snappy banter (thanks to the writing duo Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, who also directed), and you can tell everyone involved is having a good time. Seriously, Sam Rockwell steals every scene as the water park’s resident man-child mentor.

The pacing is breezier than a beachside boardwalk. The film unfolds over one summer, and you can almost feel the humidity. There's a bit of a “slice of life” vibe here — it meanders with purpose, letting you hang out with these characters instead of shoving plot points down your throat. The comedy is quiet and observational, relying more on timing and awkward glances than on punchlines. Allison Janney brings an unhinged, wine-soaked energy to every moment she’s on screen, which is both hilarious and slightly unhinging.

What actually works best is the character work. Liam James as the painfully shy Duncan gives you all the secondhand embarrassment, while Toni Collette nails that delicate balance between supportive mom and someone quietly drowning. They aren’t caricatures; there’s real emotional history simmering underneath, which keeps the jokes from feeling disposable. When the movie goes for low-key gut punches, they actually stick.

Cinematography-wise, it’s got that nostalgic indie sheen — lots of golden hour lighting, handheld shots, and everyday spaces (beach towns, arcades, water slides) that feel both lived-in and a little washed out. It’s not trying to be visually showy, which suits the material just fine. If you’re in the mood for a big laugh-out-loud comedy, though, this isn’t it. The humor is more likely to make you smile knowingly or cringe in recognition.

My only gripe: some subplots (particularly with the adult characters) are so undercooked they might as well be left on the grill. Occasionally, the script falls into a too-familiar indie movie pattern: quirky adults, awkward teens, life wisdom through odd jobs. But the performances — especially Rockwell’s commitment to slackerdom — make it worthwhile. Not a classic, but absolutely worth a watch on a slow summer night.