Independent Cinema writes: Alexander Payne’s The Descendants was an enjoyable look at a man trying to raise a family while his wife is in a coma. That should have been a rather depressing affair, but Nat Faxon and Jim Rash helped Payne write a script that wasn’t too morose for audiences to get behind, winning them an Oscar for best adapted screenplay. Now Faxon and Rash have also moved into the director’s chair, without the aid of Payne, for The Way, Way Back. The comparisons to The Descendants will be hard to avoid, and subsequently, the comparisons to an Alexander Payne script is also inevitable because this film feels way too light-hearted to garner any accolades, but still manages to retain some of the dramatic weight which makes the film worth seeing. It quickly becomes clear that The Way, Way Back doesn’t have the gall to go anywhere too emotional, but instead keeps its distance so the entire family can enjoy the charismatic cast and charming dialogue.
ges-sa.com | "What would you do if your mom’s new boyfriend is a real bully and your are stuck with him the whole summer on vacation….except pouting alot you join the local water park and its rag tag group of staff members. Duncan(Liam James) is forced to join his mom Pam(Toni Collette), her boyfriend Trent(Steve Carell) and Trent’s daughter Steph(Zoe Levin) for what is to be a nice holiday at a small vacation home in Cape Cod."
Clickonline writes: "It’s something the film is generally guilty of – presenting a show of depth or hilarity without ever really becoming a comedy or saying anything much at all. And while it might be entertaining enough at the time, it left my mind with little or no impression."
SonyRumors - Joel Dale reviews The Way Way Back:
"The opening moment of The Way Way Back is a make it or break it kind of deal. Steve Carell plays against type as Trent – father, divorcé, and new boyfriend to Toni Collette’s, Pam. She’s also a divorcé and also has a kid, Duncan. Trent is driving both families to his lake house and lays into Duncan (Liam James) telling him that on a scale of 1-10, he’s only a 3. This is one of those moments that is so strange and mean it’s hard to relate to. I’m sure there are fathers and boyfriends who’ve done similar things although I’m glad I’ve never met any. This first five minutes makes it incredibly obvious the film is going to focus on Trent’s abusive relationship to Duncan."
