The Way, Way Back

[stuartboy]

Poor Duncan!

I have to say that I was absorbed by this tale to the extent that I forgot I was in the cinema. This is my basis of determining an engaging film and it doesn't happen often enough. My only fault for this film would be that it seemed to end prematurely. A Duncan 2 perhaps?

I really felt for this character and unless he was just being a 14 year-old boy, he certainly managed to portray the awkwardness and frustration of being such a creature that I remember all too vividly.

Trent was a shit.

Not entirely sure what the title meant. It could easily have been called Duncan or Just Duncan. I was also expecting a period piece - 70's or 80's, bourne out by the arrival in a huge 70's Buick and was thus somewhat surprised to see Duncan listening to music on his iPhone.

A lovely piece of escapism and reminder of teenage life.

8.5/10

[canadian_turtle]

This was a wonderful coming of age story which made me laugh as well as cry (it's been a while that a film managed to move me to tears this much). I went in with the only knowledge that it stars Steve Carrell, an actor who I normally cannot stand which in this case was fine as you are supposed to dislike him as a character. Loved Duncan and felt for him in all his awkwardness. I also really enjoyed spotting all the actors in the smaller parts I knew from elsewhere (such as the Dean from Community, quirky as ever, and one of the women from Bridesmaids). Beautiful, charming, compelling and moving. 9/10

[yogi]

This was a wonderful coming of age story which made me laugh as well as cry (it's been a while that a film managed to move me to tears this much). I went in with the only knowledge that it stars Steve Carrell, an actor who I normally cannot stand which in this case was fine as you are supposed to dislike him as a character. Loved Duncan and felt for him in all his awkwardness. I also really enjoyed spotting all the actors in the smaller parts I knew from elsewhere (such as the Dean from Community, quirky as ever, and one of the women from Bridesmaids). Beautiful, charming, compelling and moving. 9/10

I totally agree, a very sweet and very funny film.

Loved how Duncan came out of his shell the more he got away from the despicable Trent.

Great to see Community's Dean as Lewis (one of the writer/directors in case people don't know) and great turns from everyone else involved especially Minnie Ripperton's daughter Maya Rudolph (told you everyone in Manchester would google that when they got in) 9/0

[caitlinmorton]

I enjoyed this, ESPECIALLY Sam Rockwell and Annaspohia Robb. They stole the show for me, especially Rockwell.

Great cast and it was a nice story, though something was missing for me, and I can't put my finger on what.

Nice to see valda (and friend), and jeanelle came over after as well, I think (we still haven't been formally introduced)?

[jeanelle]

I didn't enjoy this, it was one of those with lots of people I wanted to shake. I liked the drunk neighbour (Alison Janney) and her son. But the acting was mainly OK, it was really the story I didn't like.

Sorry caitlinmorton, didn't realise that was you, introduce yourself next time.

[newdot]

Enjoyed this. Acting was uniformly good, but toni collette stood head-n-shoulders above everyone. She is truly meryl streeps heir apparent.

Having just watched "2 days in paris" on iplayer, I must note that toni now bares a striking resemblance to julie delpy.

On that topic, anyone put off watching "2 days in paris" by the recent awful sequel "2 days in new york"...don't be. The "paris" film is marvellously witty & thoroughly enjoyable.

score for way way back 7/10

(score for 2 days in paris 9/10)

[alythonian]

usual chaos at Vue Omni in Edinburgh. No screen ready. No queue, no-one vaguely interested in organising anything. We formed our own queue - very well behaved us Scots!
We were at the start so got in quickly then were followed in zombie fashion (I kid you not my OH made the comment to keep quiet so they didn't hear us!) by the rest of the queue, most of them of a better vintage than us!?! OH said they were a different category of more mature persons to the Telegraph. Just about ended ourselves laughing at two couples in front row. One lady had sat leaving 1 seat either side of her, and her husband had gone off to the loo or something. It was pretty busy so old bloke asks her if seat is taken and she points to the one to her right and said yes. There were 2 seats free to her right and one to her left, so then long negotiation began while bearded man tried to explain it would be helpful if he could sit beside his wife and her husband could sit in empty chair to her left. She didn't get it. OMG was really quite bizarre. So old lady sat at end of row and man sat to lady's left. Only when husband returned did he get it and agree to move to let them sit together. However woman still didn't get it and she moved along too... Doh! STill kept me entertained for 10 ins before the film started.
Oh sorry, the film. Yes, loved it. Sam Rockwell was very good. Really sweet story, well acted by all concerned. Nice pace, good locations. Nice evening out.

[stuartboy]

Add to that the two old goats who wandered in after the film started, proceeded to wander around using a mobile phone torch to find seats on the very front row, only then to stand up again and find alternative seats elsewhere still using the torch. From what Alythonian says it was a veritable musical chairs!

[ejwrank]

Well we liked this a lot. I thought it was funny and sensitive and I thought the performances were all good. Alison Janney's line "Press my laundry" was terrific.

I was thinking (and I should know this as an American) that we used to refer to the back seat of a station wagon as the 'way back' and yes the back seat did face backwards in cars back then--my husband found that unusual. So it's rather an odd title but it does have meaning, especially poignant at the very end. As children my brothers and I were disappointed that our station wagon didn't have a back seat just an open area that loads of kids piled into after Little League, Girl Scouts etc --yes I lived the American dream.)

[alythonian]

Add to that the two old goats who wandered in after the film started, proceeded to wander around using a mobile phone torch to find seats on the very front row, only then to stand up again and find alternative seats elsewhere still using the torch. From what Alythonian says it was a veritable musical chairs!

Oh I forgot about them, they slipped down the stairs too when they were wandering about.

OH says you get a better class of doddery old folk at the Telegraph screenings