USA 2013
Starts December 5, 2013
Directed by: Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Writing credits: Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Cast: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Liam James, Zoe Levin, Sam Rockwell
Length: 103 minutes
Sitting in the way way back (the bench seat facing backward) of a ‘70s classic automobile, driving toward a small seaside town in Cape Cod, 14-year-old Duncan (James) endures belittling comments made to him from his soon-to-be stepfather, Trent (Carell). Duncan's Mom, Pam (Collette) and Trent's snotty daughter Steph (Levin) sleep through the encounter. A disappointing welcome to Duncan's summer vacation at the beach house.
Duncan's awkward adolescence phase does not allow him to communicate his feelings: rejection by his father, the abandonment from his mother as she lives for the next drink or marjuiana joint with the neighbors, observing Trent cheating on his mother, and the frustration of not fitting in with his peers.
Duncan finds escape from his new make-shift family by exploring the town on a pink stingray bike. He stops for a bite to eat at the local fast food place and meets Owen (Rockwell) playing Pac-Man. Owen offers him a summer job at his family business—the town's famous water park. Duncan joins the Water Wizz rag-tag team and finds his summer happy place until his vacation is rudely cut short. Duncan calls Trent out on his selfish behavior toward his mother. Trent's ego is deflated. He can not handle the challenge by the 14 year old. On the long drive home, Pam chooses to get in the way, way back to commune with Duncan who has made her very proud. ()