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The Way, Way Back Movie Review Summary

Actors: Liam James, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carell, Allison Janney

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Way, Way Back


The Way Way Back tells the story of a shy 14 years old, Duncan, who has to spend one whole summer with his mom, his mom's new boyfriend, Trent and his stuck up daughter. They are staying at Trent's summer house in Cape Cod. Upon reaching, Duncan meets the eccentric next door neighbor, an alcoholic mother with three kids. Duncan likes his next door neighbor, a hot blond name Susanna, but he is too shy and awkward to make any move.
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Duncan despise Trent because of his over condescending behavior and patronizing personality, also his mother is not helping, she is lost in her own world because she is a single mom and afraid to speak up to jeopardize her relationship. Along the way, Duncan also encounter Owen, a cool guy who takes pity of him and offers him a summer job at the local pool.

What started out to be a dull summer turns out to be Duncan's best time. The time when he change, grow up and fall in love.



Best part of story, including ending: The movie started out pretty blah but it gradually changed after 20 minutes and I like the coming of age the film has.

Best scene in story: My favorite scene is the last bit, where Duncan's mother move to the back of the car to sit with Duncan.

Opinion about the main character: I like Liam James as Duncan, he represents the shy, awkward inner child in everyone of us.

The review of this Movie prepared by Umesh Bhagchandani a Level 1 Blue Jay scholar

Duncan is an unhappy teen, being dragged on a summer-long vacation with her mother Pam, her boyfriend Trent, and Trent's daugher. Trent is consistently rude and emotionally abusive of Duncan, leaving him to sulk and internalize his feelings. Trent's friends in Cape Cod are all loud boozehounds, making Duncan even more of an outsider. Duncan begins escaping the beach house and riding a bike around the town, where he finds the Water Wizz, a nearby water park. The park's manager, Owen, takes a liking to Duncan immediately, and he offers Duncan a summer job. The park is filled with eccentrics, and Duncan isn't needed, but Owen sees that Duncan needs the job. While at the beach house, Duncan is ignored by his mom and the other adults, but after seeing Trent kissing the neighbor one night, he is left even more isolated and unsure what to do. A cute neighbor girl, Susanna, helps to bring Duncan out of his shell, and one night, Duncan confronts Trent and his mother during a crowded party. Trent retorts that Duncan is only there because his real father doesn't want him. Duncan runs away and stays with Owen at the water park, where he learns Owen was raised in a similar environment. When Pam decides it's time to leave, and they're leaving with Trent, Duncan has to decide whether to continue running away, face his problems, or try to sway his mom toward the right path again.
The review of this Movie prepared by R.W. Hainline a Level 29 Superb Fruit-Dove scholar

Script Analysis of The Way, Way Back

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of movie:    -   2000's+ (present) Kids growing up/acting up?    -   Yes Kids:    -   general coming of age story Parent(s) gone?    -   Dada gone Age group    -   trouble in high school Sexing?    -   girl chasing

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   student Age:    -   a teen Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White American Unusual characteristics:    -   Super sensitive soggy jelly muffin

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Northeast Small town?    -   Yes Small town people:    -   nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee Misc setting    -   sports arena    -   beach

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   no torture/death Sex/nudity in movie?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only Any profanity?    -   None    -   Occasional swearing

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