The Way, Way Back 2013

As the sun rises on a summer morning, Trent (Steve Carell) sets the tone for an unforgettable road trip, crammed into his car with Pam (Toni Collette), his girlfriend and mother of his teenage daughter Steph (Zoe Levin). The quartet is rounded out by Duncan (Liam James), Pam’s son from a previous marriage, who has claimed the cramped “way way back” seat as his own. As Trent navigates the winding roads, he engages Duncan in a candid conversation, probing for self-awareness and encouraging him to venture outside his comfort zone.

Upon arriving at Trent’s beachside retreat, the group is greeted by their eccentric neighbor Betty (Allison Janney), whose perpetual tipsiness and needy demeanor set the stage for a summer of drama and intrigue. As they settle into their vacation home, Duncan’s reluctance to participate in the family’s beach activities becomes apparent, much to the dismay of Steph, who would rather be socializing with her friends.

In an effort to coax Duncan out of his shell, Trent and Pam persuade him to join them on the beach, where he awkwardly inserts himself into a gathering of teenagers. Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb), Duncan’s half-sister, is engrossed in her reading material, while Steph and her clique are busy complaining about the heat and their various summer woes. As the tension builds, Steph’s boyfriend Chad seems apathetic to her concerns, prompting her to storm off into the waves, followed by her friends.

As the group dynamic becomes increasingly strained, Duncan finds himself at a crossroads: will he continue to observe from afar or take a chance and immerse himself in the chaos? With his mother’s urging still resonating in his ears, he makes a quiet departure from the beach, leaving behind a sea of uncertainty and setting the stage for a summer of self-discovery.

As Duncan returns to the beach house, he encounters an unexpected trio - Betty, Peter, and himself - with Betty enthusiastically proposing a playdate for the boys. Duncan politely excuses himself, only to find Trent’s rowdy friends, Joan (Amanda Peet) and Kip (Rob Corddry), mingling with their host and Pam. The atmosphere is strained, with Duncan’s melancholy demeanor palpable as they share dinner together.

The next day, Duncan stumbles upon a small girl’s bike in the garage and takes it for a spin into town. At the local pizzeria, he runs into Owen (Sam Rockwell), engrossed in an old Pacman machine. They engage in conversation until Owen’s lunch break comes to a close.

Back at the beach house, Duncan discovers that they’re embarking on Joan and Kip’s boat, with Betty and Susanna tagging along. Duncan is required to don a life jacket, a solo endeavor amidst the carefree atmosphere. As they return from their outing, Duncan retreats outside to confide in Susanna about his dissatisfaction with their surroundings. She turns to leave, and Duncan prophetically remarks, “It looks like it’s going to be a hot summer,” only for Susanna to retort, “I thought we were done here.”

The following day, Duncan visits the Water Wizz water park, where he reunites with Owen. As they explore the premises, they meet Lewis (Jim Rash), the reluctant employee who shares his distaste for working at the park. Their escapades culminate in a meeting with Roddy (Nat Faxon), the enigmatic water slide operator. Owen humorously dubs him an “artist” due to his peculiar habit of making young women wait before allowing them to enter the slides’ tubes.

Later, Duncan and Owen cross paths with Caitlin (Maya Rudolph), who inquires about Owen’s work status. As Duncan departs on his bike, Owen offers him a ride home, which they accept after securing Duncan’s bike safely in the rear seat of the car. Upon dropping Duncan off at the beach house, Owen extends an intriguing employment opportunity to Duncan, which he eagerly accepts. Upon witnessing Owen’s departure, Duncan’s mother, Pam, raises an eyebrow, asking Duncan about his new acquaintance and remarking, “A friend with a license?”

As the sun rises on a new day, Duncan (actor’s name) arrives at the water park, where his latest adventure awaits. His initial foray into the park’s vibrant atmosphere yields a surprise encounter - a group of free-spirited individuals using cardboard as a makeshift dance floor. Owen’s (actor’s name) instruction to intervene is met with Duncan’s hesitant approach, which ultimately leads to an impromptu dance lesson from a curious onlooker. As he masters the moves, his confidence grows, and he even manages to impress with a daring headspin.

Later that day, Duncan finds himself amidst a trio of brave souls attempting to conquer the water slide in record time. The feat proves too great, however, as they become stuck, necessitating someone to nudge them back on track.

The following day, Duncan takes a unexpected break from his duties at the park, opting instead to indulge in a friendly game of Candyland with friends and family. Tensions rise as the rules are hotly debated, leading to a heated argument that threatens to upend the entire gathering.

On the Fourth of July, the water park plays host to Betty’s (actor’s name) annual clambake celebration at the beach. Amidst the festive atmosphere, Duncan witnesses Trent (actor’s name) and Joan sharing a romantic moment in secret. His attention soon shifts to his tasks as he continues setting up the chairs.

The evening concludes with a dazzling fireworks display, and the following day finds Susanna walking along the beach with Duncan, engaged in conversation as they take in the sights. However, their peaceful stroll is disrupted when Susanna stumbles upon Duncan’s secret - his work at the water park. As he shows her around the facility, their innocent outing is suddenly hijacked by Owen and Roddy’s (actor’s name) loudspeaker summons.

The tone turns curious as they inquire about Susanna’s presence in Duncan’s life and why he hasn’t yet “sealed the deal.”

Here’s a rephrased version of the section:

The evening wears on as Owen (over the loudspeaker) interrupts the tranquility, beckoning Duncan back to Susanna with a message that can only be described as an invitation. As he returns, Duncan is met with an unsettling discovery - Trent’s vehicle is nowhere to be found. The trio of Pam, Steph, and Duncan wait patiently for his arrival, eventually succumbing to hunger and indulging in a dinner sans Trent. His eventual return claims that he was stuck on the boat with Kip, a tale that raises more eyebrows than it allays concerns.

The following day unfolds like a tapestry of secrets and lies as a neighbor’s house hosts a gathering that finds Steph, Duncan, and Susanna mingling among the adults. Meanwhile, Trent and Joan take to the dance floor, their movements a far cry from the harmony they purport to share. Pam’s ears perk up at Kip’s candid confession to Betty - the boat has been out of commission for weeks, requiring a fix that Trent’s excuse conveniently glosses over. The truth dawns on Pam like a sunrise, her emotions simmering before finally boiling over.

Duncan’s ire is piqued as he confronts his friends, the argument escalating into a physical manifestation of their frustration. Later that night, Duncan bears witness to Trent and Pam’s heated exchange, his patience wearing thin. He retreats to the beach with Susanna, where they find common ground in their fascination with ghost crabs. His attempt at a kiss is met with Susanna’s gentle rebuff, leaving Duncan feeling sheepish as he beats a hasty retreat.

As he navigates the darkness, he encounters Peter, who insists on tagging along for a journey that remains shrouded in mystery. Their destination: a farewell celebration for Lewis at the local water park, where Roddy, Caitlin, and Duncan pay their respects by dousing him with water from an arsenal of squirt guns. The ensuing water gun battle rages like a tempest.

The next morning finds Duncan commiserating with Owen about Trent’s transgressions, sharing a painful anecdote from their past - the time he was reduced to a mere 3. As Duncan returns to the beach house, he’s met with the unsettling sight of his mother packing, his initial assumption that they’re leaving together shattered by her revelation that they’ll all be departing together, leaving him feeling disillusioned.

In the midst of this chaos, Susanna appears to bid farewell, bestowing a parting kiss on Duncan as she assures him that last night’s surprise was simply a reaction. Duncan catches Steph’s gaze lingering in the background and shoots back a playful jab, “Stop staring, perv.”

As the automobile glides away from the gas station, the soundtrack swells to life with the pulsing rhythms of “Power Hungry Animals.” The scenery whips by in a blur as they recross paths with the water park, a place that holds a special significance for one member of their group. Without warning, Duncan springs into action, bounding out of the car and hurtling towards the water park’s entrance. His companions scramble to keep up, their laughter and shouts carrying on the wind.

As Pam steps inside the water park’s facilities, her eyes land on a noticeboard adorned with a peculiar honor - “Employee of the Month” - accompanied by a photograph that sends her heart racing. Duncan’s beaming visage stares back at her, a testament to his tireless dedication and enthusiasm. The news doesn’t go unnoticed, as Owen bears witness to his friend’s triumphant declaration: he intends to pass another slider on the water slide, an achievement that would etch his name in the annals of aquatic history.

The two friends charge up the stairs, their competitive spirits driving them forward as they plunge into the waiting tube. In a stunning display of speed and agility, Duncan emerges victorious, becoming the first person to ever surpass someone on the slippery slope. Meanwhile, Lewis’s presence serves as a poignant reminder that even the most ambitious among them can sometimes find themselves stuck in the same old routine.

As the group prepares to depart, Owen shares some heartfelt words with Pam, praising her for raising such an extraordinary individual - Duncan. With a nod of acknowledgement, Trent inserts himself into the conversation, his “Hi” punctuated by the phrase, “I’m a good friend of ‘the 3’.” Amidst the farewells and fond memories, Duncan requests a private moment with Owen, their emotional goodbye a poignant prelude to the group’s return to the station wagon.

The journey back is marked by an oppressive silence, each passenger lost in their own thoughts. It’s only when Pam climbs into the backseat to join Duncan that the tension is broken, their smiles illuminating the darkness as they drift off into the distance. As the camera pans out, the movie draws to a close, leaving behind a trail of memories and the quiet certainty that even amidst change, some bonds will remain unbroken.