Movie - The Way Way Back

In the style of some of my most enjoyed movies of recent years, with some of my favourite people in it, this would have been a massive let-down if it was bad.Delighted to say it's good!We meet two recently divorced parents getting together and going to his summer-house, where everyone knows everyone and their history. Pam (Toni Collette – yay!) is keen for her 14-year-old son to get on with her new boyfriend Trent and on first take, it looks like he is trying – in his own way – but we soon realise that’s not the case. The opening scenes, he rates the boy a 3 whereas Duncan, the teenager would give himself a 6 rating. I’m pretty clear that no teenager is going to be motivated by 3.Pam is saved by the neighbour Betty, played by Allison Janney (yay!) who is almost typecast as the loopy one with the heart of gold, although in this film she’s drunk too.Duncan finds a shiny pink, too-small-for-him bike and rides until he happens across the local water park where he be-friends the manager Owen (Sam Rockwell). He ends up getting a job as a way of escaping and loves his new water park ‘family’ who boost his confidence no end, especially colleague Caitlyn (Maya Rudolph – yay!).I didn’t even know Maya start of my favourite film of 2009, ‘Away We Go’ was on it so that adds another 1 point!Add to all of this teenager angst, parental angst and a huge dose of humour via Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney and we have a hit.8½/10Smile factor 9½/10Coffee rating: Americano