“Don’t Die Wondering”
I remember scrolling through Netflix, and seeing this movie as a recommended for you title. I went to it and I saw what it was about, and what really got me is I recognized a lot of the actors in it. The story drew me in from the synopsis, but I stayed for the actors. After watching this movie I was so blown away, that I wasn’t taking the chances in Netflix randomly getting rid of it, and I ended out going that day with my buddy Ryan to look at Best Buy, he wanted to look at video games, I specifically wanted to pick this up to add it to my collection, and I’m so glad I did. This is one of my go to movies whenever something in life comes up that you can’t control, when you have to try something new for the first time, or you feel like you have to do something that you feel like is out of your element and you won’t fit in. Its a movie you watch when you don’t fit in, but you try your best anyways. This movie inspired me to be less shy, and embrace my uniqueness as a person, as weirdly as that sounds.
The Way, Way Back is a Comedy, Drama film, about a Shy 14-year-old kid named Duncan. He’s 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.
The Way, Way Back is directed and written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. As a duo, Faxon and Rash have written the screenplay to The Descendants (2011), they also directed and wrote a TV film called Fatrick (2014). They also have 4 more films coming out that they’re directing and writing, Dead Mall, The Heart and The Birches are the named ones and they have one untitled Drama flick. They are both actors, Jim Rash is best known as being the Dean in Community (2009-2015) and Nat Faxon was in Beerfest (2006). They’re very capable actors, but I think where their talent really shines is in their writing and direction. They created a very brilliant script in The Descendants (2011), they created very wonderful characters and it was just a smart script. The Way, Way Back on the other hand, took that to the next level. This movie is underrated, and just wonderful, more people need to see this movie. They created unique characters, and you were able to really be inside the head of Duncan, and you fell in love with the character of Owen, at least I did. Before I ever get further I will say that Owen is my favourite part of this movie.
The Way, Way Back stars Steve Carell, Toni Collette, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Liam James, Amanda Peet and Rob Corddry. Theres a lot of actors to do what I usually do, so I’m just gonna chose their most recognized role and move on. But if you have any questions about what else they were in, I’m more than happy to answer any questions! Steve Carell (Trent) is best known for being Michael Scott in The Office (2005-2013). Toni Collette (Pam) is best known for The Sixth Sense being Lynn Sear (199). AnnaSophia Robb (Susanna) is best known for Violet Beauregar in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005) and Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer (2011). Sam Rockwell (Owen) is best known for ‘Wild Bill’ Wharton in The Green Mile (1999) and Sam Bell in Moon (2009). Maya Rudolph (Caitlin) is best known for her stint on Saturday Night Live (2000-2016). Liam James (Duncan) is best known for being Young Shawn in Psych (2006-2010). Rob Corddry (Kip) is best known as Lou in Hot Tub Time Machines (2010) and finally Amanda Peet (Joan) is best known for her role of Jill the Receptionist in The Whole Nine Yards (2000).
I thought that Liam Jones did an amazing job as Duncan in this movie, he was really wonderful. He was great in being shy and really growing as a character, you felt like you grew with him as the film progressed. But Sam Rockwell stole the show in this movie, he’s one of my favourite reasons to re-watch this movie. He was just hilarious and brilliant, everything that came out of his mouth was funny, or very inspiring. He Owened the role… Ill show myself out. Rockwell’s delivery is just spot on and it was after this movie I went on a Sam Rockwell spree of watching every movie I can find with him in it, some I’ve already seen, some I haven’t, but all I’ve been fond of.