The Way Way Back (w/ Don S.)

Episode 124: The Way, Way Back (2013)

Theme: Patreon Choice Month
Hosts: Oz & Curtis (feat. Don S)

This week, Oz and Curtis welcome back friend of the show, Chicago film critic, and professional Steve-Carell-shoulder-shrugger Don S to break down The Way, Way Back — the coming-of-age summer movie that blends awkward teenagers, drunk adults, water-park philosophy, and one of the all-time great Sam Rockwell hangout performances. It’s heart, humor, healing… and a Buick.

Don, Oz, and Curtis dig into:

• Duncan: a 14-year-old masterclass in social anxiety, quiet resilience, and choosing the way, way back of every room he enters.
• Trent: Steve Carell’s rare “I’m the villain” turn — cargo shorts, insecurity, cardio dad-energy, and weaponized board-game etiquette.
• Owen: Sam Rockwell in full “summer camp counselor who never left” mode — jokes, wisdom, Pac-Man theology, and father-figure-of-the-year energy.
• The Water Wizz crew: Jim Rash, Nat Faxon, Maya Rudolph, and the grown-up misfits who somehow become a healthy support system.
• The finale — the devil’s-peak waterslide stunt, the gas-station sprint, the quiet mom epiphany, and one perfectly earned car-seat migration.

Enjoy Don’s take? Then check out more Don!

• Film Obsessive
• Every Movie Has a Lesson
• Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

Final Verdict:

Oz — 1 Ghost Crab Way of the Samurai
Don — 99 Devil’s Peaks
Curtis — 91 Poppin’ Locks

Next week: Patreon Choice Month continues with Aaron A’s pick — Spy (2015) — Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham doing full self-parody, Rose Byrne with couture villainy, and the best scooter chase in cinema history.