The Way Way Back

Set during the dreamy days of an all-American summer, this bright coming-of-age drama mixes growing pains with vacation high jinks to superbly bittersweet effect. Shy 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) wishes he was anywhere other than on holiday with his mother (Toni Collette) and her bullying new boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell). Trapped in Trent's beachside home, Duncan finds an escape in the Water Wizz Water Park, where maverick manager Owen (Sam Rockwell) offers him a fresh perspective on life - and a much-needed injection of fun. Making their directorial debut, Jim Rash and Nat Faxon skilfully interweave dry humour with heartfelt observations, and they pack out their film with a fantastic cast. Maya Rudolph is enjoyably droll as Owen's girlfriend, while Alison Janney is a hoot as a sozzled neighbour and Carell makes for a brilliantly hissable baddie. A couple of awkward jokes aside, the film is hugely warm and well-meaning, with a fantastic soundtrack and a poignant ending that can't help but bring a lump to the throat.