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    Coming-of-Age Story

    The Way, Way Back is a refreshing change of pace during summer movie season

    Alex Bentley
    Jul 5, 2013 | 6:00 am
    The Way, Way Back is a refreshing change of pace during summer movie season
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    Coming-of-age movies, somewhat ironically, seem to be a rite of passage for many filmmakers. There’s something about the awkwardness of youth, dealing with embarrassing parents and the prospect of first love that is catnip for writers and directors early in their career.

    The latest to mine that subject matter are Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, who won an Oscar for writing The Descendants; they make their directorial debut with The Way, Way Back. Their protagonist is Duncan (Liam James), a teenager who’s forced spend the summer in a small beach town with his his mother, Pam (Toni Collette); her boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell); and Trent’s daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin).

    The idea that a 14-year-old wouldn’t relish the chance to spend summer at the beach comes off as more than a bit strange.

    That wouldn’t seem to be that horrible of a fate, but when you’re painfully shy, your mom seems to be off in her own world and her boyfriend tends to belittle you at every turn, it can feel like a prison sentence.

    Duncan finds a bit of salvation at the local water park, where the manager, Owen (Sam Rockwell), takes pity on him. Owen hires Duncan for temporary summer work while simultaneously taking him under his wing. And because any good coming-of-age story wouldn’t be complete without a fledgling romance, Duncan develops a hesitant flirtation with Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb), the girl next door.

    The way the film is set up, it’s both easy to sympathize with Duncan and hard to understand why exactly he’s so sullen. His family life isn’t perfect, but it’s far from horrendous. And the idea that an otherwise normal 14-year-old wouldn’t relish the chance to spend the summer at the beach comes off as more than a bit strange.

    But once the story allows him to open up, the film takes a turn for the better as well. Owen, a man who refuses to grow up, is pretty much the perfect companion for a kid looking to break out of his shell. Rockwell’s rat-a-tat delivery and laid-back demeanor make him a perfect fit for the character.

    James is good as Duncan, but the strong supporting cast around him helps immensely. Aside from Rockwell, Robb, Carell, Collette, Allison Janney, Rob Corddry, Amanda Peet, Maya Rudolph, Faxon and Rash all deliver great moments, elevating James’ work in the process.

    It’s not the finest example of a coming-of-age work in movie history, but The Way, Way Back is a nice change of pace during summer blockbuster season. If nothing else, it’ll have you longing to spend your summer at the beach.

    AnnaSophia Robb's Susanna is the summer crush of Liam James' Duncan in The Way, Way Back.

    The Way, Way Back
      
    Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
    AnnaSophia Robb's Susanna is the summer crush of Liam James' Duncan in The Way, Way Back.
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    news/entertainment

    This week's hot headlines

    Death of Dallas Caramel Company founder leads week's most-read stories

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Jun 14, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Dallas Caramel Company
    Dallas Caramel Company
    Dallas Caramel Company

    Editor's note: It was a newsy week in Dallas. Sadly, the founder of a Dallas sweets company passed away; there was also news of a new gourmet European market in the works and peach cobbler coming to DFW Airport. Here's a chance to get caught up on the week's most-read stories, and here's help planning a fun weekend.

    1. Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott dies at 52. Dallas entrepreneur Rain McDermott, who founded artisan caramel maker Dallas Caramel Company when she was only 34 years old, died after a battle with breast cancer; she was 52.

    2. Gourmet European Market to open in north Dallas with pierogi and more. A new food shop with a distinct European flair is coming to Dallas: Called Gourmet European Market, it's opening at 17435 Preston Rd., in a shopping center south of Frankford Road, where it will feature food products from all over Europe but with a special focus on the Eastern European countries of Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Israel, and Bulgaria.

    Gourmet European Market Polish gingerbreadPolish gingerbread at Gourmet European Market.Photo courtesy of GEM

    3. Chef and caterer opens Southern to-go cafe south of Dallas. A chef and caterer has opened an eponymous to-go cafe south of Dallas: Called The Cedric Frazier Experience, it’s an upscale soul food kitchen located at 103 Waller St., in Red Oak, where it opened on June 7.

    4. Dallas cuts slack on senior homeowners with new property tax exemption. Dallas seniors who own a home got cut a break: On June 11, the Dallas City Council approved additional property tax relief for senior and disabled homeowners by increasing the city’s property tax exemption for residents who are 65 or older or disabled.

    5. Peach cobbler concept to open 2 locations at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Southern desserts are coming to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): The Peach Cobbler Factory, a chain based in North Carolina, will open not one but two locations at the airport. The first DFW location will open in Terminal D in late 2025; a second location will open in the new Terminal C Pier in 2026.

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