The Way, Way Back (Blu-ray + DigitalHD)

Socially awkward teenager Duncan is on a family vacation for the summer and couldn’t be more miserable. His mother’s boyfriend Trent is the worst of his tormentors. In the car ride on the way to the summer home, on a scale of one to ten, Trent gives Duncan a three and tells him to “get that number up by putting [himself] out there”. As Trent and his daughter continually berate Duncan, Duncan’s mother is powerless to do anything to stop them. The only place the awkward teenager can find any happiness is at a local water park run by a sarcastically humorous slacker named Owen. Trent destroys Duncan’s self-esteem and Owen rebuilds it.What makes me give this movie an A+ above all else is the believability of each character. When I say Duncan is a socially awkward teenager, I’m not lying. He keeps to himself most of the time, he’s constantly frowning, he speaks with a blunt affect, and he can’t make conversation with cute girls without making them uncomfortable. Duncan sounds like a teenaged version of me in real life, so you’re damn right I’m rooting for him to find the love and friendship he needs.Trent is the exact opposite of what a heroic character should be. He criticizes Duncan for every little thing, he cheats on Duncan’s mother while criticizing her as well, and pretty much has no redeemable qualities. TV Tropes dot org would refer to him as a Complete Monster, which is an annoying sociopath with no likeable traits. I used to have a step-father named Art and he was a living, breathing caricature of Trent. Naturally, I keep cheering for Trent to get flattened by a steamroller.Owen, the water park owner who builds Duncan’s self-worth, is everything you could ever want in a role model (apart from the slacking off). He’s funny without being mean, he’s sarcastic, he’s charismatic, and whenever he’s not being goofy, his serious side is believable and warm. One of my favorite lines from Owen’s dialogue is when he sees Duncan sitting slouched over on a beach chair and jokingly says, “Excuse me, sir, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You’re having way too much fun and it’s making everyone uncomfortable.” Duncan actually tries to get up and leave before Owen says, “That wasn’t even my best material!”The entire character roster of The Way Way Back is special in some way. Peter is a nerdy kid who has to wear an eye-patch because his eye stares too far to the right. Susanna is a cutie pie who tries to bring Duncan out of his shell with borderline romantic love. Even Pam (Duncan’s mother) has moments when we can root for her despite her passiveness toward Trent’s abusive ways.The Way Way Back is a movie a lot of people can relate to. Okay, so not everybody gets to work at a water park with a charismatic charmer. There are times, however, when we feel out of place. We all have someone we consider to be our greatest critic and we all have someone who will pick us up if we seek out that person’s help. The movie reminds us that love is out there and its ours for the taking. It may be far away, it may be much closer. Either way, it’s there if you look for it. It doesn’t have to be a kissy-kissy kind of love. It could just be a casual friendship. Somebody out there likes you and somebody out there cares. That’s not just a myth perpetuated by cheesy romance movies. That’s god’s honest truth. A life without love of some kind is the true definition of loneliness. If you ever feel this way, don’t let any jerk call you a “three out of ten”. Rankings can never determine the true worth within us all.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and almost definitely my favorite drama. Every character is so realistic, and you see certain characters as people you know yourself. The Way Way Back captures a part of a 14-year-old boy's life that changes him for the better. Some characters change while others stay in their little ruts. I think the title is perfect; this is a story about people and how sometimes to move forward, you have to go back. You have to find yourself.Duncan is a teenager that is mature for his age, but he has problems connecting with people and finding something to capture his attention. His mother is trying to forget about her problems and live it up with her new boyfriend, Trent, who is pretty much just a jerk. Owen is an immature adult, but as he starts to help Duncan loosen up he realizes he has some maturing to do himself. The point is, everyone has problems. I only named a few of the main characters, but nearly every person onscreen is fleshed out really well.I'm a fan of independent films, but this one really tops the list. The Way Way Back grabs your attention from the first second and keeps you watching. Duncan is the awkward teenager that actually exists in real life, and the way he starts to come out of his shell is real. Speaking from personal experience, most movies and television shows with the "awkward/shy teen" don't really understand what it means to be shy. They assume the person just doesn't like people...but like Duncan, he just doesn't know HOW. He wants to but feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. He wants to be somewhere else, with different people. But like Owen says, "Carve your own path." And Duncan starts to see the upside in life, rather than just the downside. There are bad people, yes. But there are also good people. You choose who to be with.I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone and everyone. It might just be my favorite movie of all time.

In the Way, Way Back, 14 year-old Duncan travels with his Mother, the mother's boyfriend, Trent, and his daughter to a cottage for the summer. Duncan is not too impressed with Trent and the latter believes Duncan rates only a 3 out of 10.Things soon pick up for Duncan when he meets a girl that is living next door to him and he encounters a gentleman, Owen, at a local water park. At this point, Duncan would rather be at the water park then at home as he only feels happy when he is at the park with Owen and the other crew.Duncan later discovers that Trent is having an affair and wants his Mother to end it with him, but she refuses, and Duncan later discovers that his father didn't want custody of him. After a late night at the water park, Duncan arrives back to find out that his Mother and Trent are leaving the cottage early, but Duncan is reluctant to leave.In the end, Duncan makes one final stop at the water park to say goodbye to Owen and he eventually leaves with his Mom and Trent, but the ending is rather interesting.I was impressed with the acting of Liam James (Duncan) and Sam Rockwell (Owen) in the film; many critics thought Rockwell should have been nominated for an academy award and I can see why after a spirited performance.

Caught the middle part of this film in a weird motel in Nebraska on TV and thought hmm this looks fun so coming home after the trip promptly put in an Amazon order.Well Nebraska didn't play tricks on my taste. This is a little gem of a film. A really heart warming and amusing film about growing up, about a boy trying to find his place in the world. Liam James is wonderful as the aforementioned boy, Sam Rockwell a triumph as the man child that takes him under his wing. The film is character driven to the maximum, Steve Carell excellent and sleazy mid life crisis, Toni Collette the female mid life crisis struggling post divorce, Maya Rudolph as the wonderfully strong foil to Rockwell's character, Anna Sophia Robb, River Alexander....... I could go on. Suffice to say each part is beautifully drawn, well written, and well acted.This is a very strong character driven snappy, amusing, emotional film. Funny and life enhancing. If not a five star film certainly a 4.5 star film. Hmm I wish these reviews were out of ten as this would be a really very good nine.

I went to see this film when I come out in cinema and I still think it is one of the best films I have ever seen. And I watch a lot of films. The story Line of the film is brilliant as well as the acting.. Have recommended my friends to watch it and I don't think this movie got the reconition it diserves..

When I started The Way Way Back I wasn't 100% sure if i would like it, and for the first 10-15mins i didn't, i got bored, started playing with my phone, went to check Twitter etc.But then it grabbed me & really started to enjoy the film. Little Duncan is just so cute and at times, you feel so sorry for that wee guy. But he really is the hero of the film, they picked a great actor.While it's not in my Top 10 films of all time, i really did enjoy it and i'm 100% sure i will be watching it again!

I love this film, it’s great to watch with the family and isn’t sugarcoated like a lot of films. It explores the natural issues in families, and the reality of single parents and issues of stepdads. It shows the growth of the teenager to someone sad and self depreciating, to a confident kid through the right conditions, something many teenagers can relate to.

Great film about growing up in a disfunctional family and experiencing changes in parental relationships. Well acted and believable.

This is one of my favourite films of the last few years. Personally I find the movie incredibly touching and sometimes difficult to watch as I can relate a little too much to it. Awkward teen stuck struggling with being in the middle of his parents, dad with a new girlfriend and his mums condescending, lying and controlling boyfriend. Really incredible cast, never thought I'd dislike Steve Carell so much as a character! Its just a really moving, funny, awkward and lovely film.

For some reason, the following options won't even show on the blu-ray cover, but they are available. Go figure.Language: English; Italian; German; French; Espanol; Castellano; Czech; Magyar;Subtitles: English; Italian; German; French; Espanol; Castellano; Czech; Magyar; Greek; Nederlands; Malauy; Limba romana.There is a couple more listed that I couldn't make out.

I watched this on a long haul flight and it just made me smile so I pre-ordered it as soon as I got home and have watched it countless times since. It's a sweet coming of age story, very funny in parts, engaging and just a nice feel good movie for when you've got a case of the blues.Predictably, Sam Rockwell is great, as is the rest of the cast. It's very well cast (apart from Steph's friend on the beach at the beginning - HORRIBLE acting. Steve Carell, who usually plays such likeable characters really did well with his portrayal of the anything but Trent and Alison Janney is another standout as Betty.An easy but fulfilling watch.

I only saw this film on tv not long ago..I enjoyed the film but wanted to watch it again so I purchased this on dvd .Really good family movie

Trying not to sound cliche, but this is a funny and heart warming film.You're constantly rooting for the insecure, humble main character Liam James, while co stars like Maya Rudolph and Sam Rockwell provide the humour.It was different seeing Steve Carrell playing a bad guy but he does it really well, not a violent character, just a sneaky self righteous man.It definitely has more laughs than tears, it's really great. I'd advise watching the trailer

This is one of my favourite Films of all times! Beautiful, funny, hearrfelt with great performance throughout! Sam Rockwell is outstanding in this Film!

Sam Rockwell is great in this film.

Great movie

Watched it a few times, A simple but yet an effective story. Enjoyable film

I really loved this film and have bought this for all my peeps. A kid who's mum is getting divorced is forced on one of those aweful holidays were you know no one. He gets a job at a water park and his life makes a change for the better.