The Way Way Back

The Way Way Back.

The Way Way back is a comedy drama directed and written by Natt Faxon and Jim Rash which was released July 2013. The film consists of well known cast including known comedy stars such as Steve Carell, Allison Janney, Toni Collette and Maya Rudolph, as well as younger stars like Liam James, AnnaSophia Robb and Zoe Levin. The film is about a young boy who goes on holiday with his unconventional family and ends up working at a water park where he makes some new friends.

Duncan (Liam James), from the beginning, comes across as an awkward character and very shy. This is particularly evident when he tries to talk to Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb). Their relationship grows more as the film goes on but Duncan still isn't quite sure how to talk to Susanna, which often brings up some awkward situations. A scene that is important in the film occurs after Duncan is involved in a family fight. Susanna and Duncan are sitting on the beach discussing what has happened. Duncan ends up trying to kiss Susanna and it doesn't end up happening. The reason why this is a significant part of the film because it shows the audience that Duncan finds it hard to make friends or interact with people. He comes across very antisocial which is a vital part of his personality. However by the end of the film we see that he has come to make lots more friends as his confidence starts to develop. From this the audience is able to see the development and progression Duncan has made and how far he has come with making friends which is a main theme in the film (Friendship).

Performance plays an important role within the film especially when it comes to the character Trent (Steve Carell). Steve Carell is mostly known for his comedic roles within films such as Little Miss Sunshine and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. What is important about Carell's role in the film is that it totally goes against what the audience may expect from him. In the film he plays a serious and overbearing step father which is not a role that the audience may associate Carell with. Performance is important because of this fact because it changes the expectations of the film. Although it is a comedy, it does depict some important issues of 'unconventional families' and cheating. 

A film could be compared to Perks of Being a Wall Flower in the sense of the character development. Charlie (Logan Lerman) starts of the same as Duncan. He is very shy and socially awkward who has very little friends. As the movie progresses like In The Way Way Back, Charlie becomes more confident and makes a whole new group of friends. The films are the same in the fact that they are part of a similar journey of becoming more positive and self confident.