The Way Way Back
Seen it?2013 | 103 min | Comedy, Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 6 times its budget. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Little Miss Sunshine or My Girl, start here.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13: peril. Probably too much for younger kids.
Shy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 3 Critics' Choice Awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$27 million worldwide on a $5 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 210K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Little Miss Sunshine
Friday Night FlickAlso stars Toni Collette, in another critically acclaimed dramedy.
My Girl Saturday SpecialAnother dramedy, and a Saturday Special.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed comedy.
Half Brothers
Monday Morning MaybeAnother dramedy. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Fatherhood
Sunday Safe BetAnother dramedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
- Liam JamesDuncan
- Steve CarellTrent Ramsey
- Toni CollettePam
- AnnaSophia RobbSusanna Thompson
- Sam RockwellOwen
- Allison JanneyBetty Thompson
- Maya RudolphCaitlyn
- Amanda PeetJoan
- Rob CorddryKip
- Nat FaxonRoddy