This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
5M4M contributor Jennifer Donovan was sent to an advance screening of this movie, and we were compensated for this campaign. Right now we just want to offer up a great giveaway for you from Fox Searchlight pictures, and you can check out her interview with Allison Janney and her review of the movie, too.
Synopsis:
THE WAY, WAY BACK is the funny and poignant coming of age story of 14-year-old Duncan’s (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter Steph (Zoe Levin). Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up to and begins to finally find his place in the world – all during a summer he will never forget.
My take:
I have to reserve my review until next week, but I will say that I saw this movie with a friend of mine and my 14-year-old daughter, and we loved it. Stay tuned for more info about the movie, including an interview with co-star Allison Janney.
In the meantime, visit the official website, Like The Way, Way Back on Facebook, and follow @TheWayWayBack on Twitter #TheWayWayBack.
Summer memories?
This movie begins with everyone loaded up in a vintage paneled station wagon where Liam has to ride in the way back, you know — the seat that faces backwards, separating you from the others in the car? We had a station wagon just like that! And my in-laws even had one within the last 10 years, and my sister-in-law actually chose to ride in the way way back.
The vehicle was a station wagon, but the story takes place on the beach and at a waterpark, so I’d like to know — growing up, would you have rather spent the day at the beach or the waterpark?
Use the Rafflecopter form to enter this giveaway. New to Rafflecopter? Watch this 45-second video on how to enter!
Win it!
Win a prize pack valued at $75 courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
- $25 Visa to see the film
- Fox Searchlight DVD pack including 500 Days of Summer and Little Miss Sunshine
- The Way Way Back T-shirt & Sunglasses
Entertainment Park in Delhi says
Amazing post, I enjoyed by watching this movie. Water parks and beaches both are really good place for relaxation in summer. Well directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, really I love this movie very much. Thanks for sharing such a nice article through your blog.
Maggie C says
We didn’t do much of either once I got past a certain age but I think waterpark would have been more fun.
Jennifer C. says
Definitely preferred the water park as we never really went to any beaches.
Melissa Tippie says
As a child I prefered spending time at the beach! I spent Easter holiday with family & friends at Atlantic City on the boardwalk for years. I still love the beach as an adult. Thank-you for a GREAT Giveaway.
Wild Orchid says
I always preferred the beach.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Claudia says
I loved the beach.
JR Frugalmom says
I definitely preferred the beach, and I have many fond memories of our family beach trips.
Teresa Thompson says
I love the beach.
Idaho Jill says
waterparks – no sand to get everywhere 🙂
Laura Jacobson says
I always liked the beaches better! We really didnt have any waterparks growing up, just community pools which we did like to go to. 🙂
Christine says
I always enjoyed the beach.
Thanks for the chance!
Daniel M says
loved the beach
Claudia says
now and then … the Beach ! Picnics, BBQ’s and less crowded 🙂
Debby Chandler says
we spent time at the beach because we didn’t have water parks.
Sadie B. says
I preferred the waterpark.
liz l says
I would prefer a day at the beach
Tram Le says
I prefer spending time at the beach.
Tammy S says
I loved spending time at the beach when I was a kid. I still do. 🙂
kymi a says
I loved the waterpark all the slides were so awesome, so much to do.
Meredith Serrano says
I liked the waterpark, no sand! But now I love the beach.
Liz says
We never did water parks when I was a kid, so I would say beach. Now, with my own kids, we go to water parks and LOVE them!
krysta says
I love the beach, but if im going swimming…i prefer the waterpark!
Darlene O'Brien says
I loved the beach, ocean is awesome!
PF Sweepstakes says
I like the waterpark, but it’s been ages since I visited one.
Tiffany Walker says
I absolutely loved going to the beach, hands down !
Carmen S says
I prefer the beach, love the sand!
Annemarie Z. says
I have and will always love spending time at the beach!
nannypanpan says
beach
[email protected]
allyson becker says
I preferred the beach, but both are great.
Ellie W says
Neither really, but I would have preferred the beach I think.
Wehaf says
Both then and now, I preferred the beach!
Kate F. says
I preferred the waterpark.
Geoff Codner says
I preferred going to the waterpark. I still do!
April Yedinak says
We never went to any water parks when I was a kid, but I loved going to the beach.
jeff summers says
Hated waterparks….the beach is much better and now as an adult I prefer a quiet morning around sunrise.
Heather Manu says
When I was a kid, the waterpark cause we did not go to the beach
Barbara Montag says
The water park – thank you.
Kristie says
I probably preferred the beach as a kid 🙂
Kelly D says
I enjoyed the beach the most.
Bonnie Wilks says
Hope to win.
Susan P. says
We were not near a beach and once a year would go visit relatives and swim in a lake.
Mary W says
As kids, we enjoyed ponds and lakes. No water parks or beaches were near by.
betty says
we love the water park
shaunie says
i preferred the waterpark , so much more to do
Cindy Ray says
I loved them both and still as an adult love them both
Sandy Klocinski says
I had neither when I was a kid
Jessica T says
Beach! Love it!
Garrett D. says
When I was a kid, I used to to the beach a lot. And once every year my family would all go to Water Country. So I like both but prefer water parks more.
Amy Z. says
I preferred the waterpark!
Nataly Carbonell says
always loved going to the beach
Shelley says
I loved going to the beach (and still do)!
Lisa says
The waterpark. I never even went to the beach until I was 13
June Lisle says
I would have loved to go to either but they weren’t an option when I was a kid.
rachel says
The waterpark — I wasn’t a huge fan of sand in my suit.
Jessie C. says
We prefer beach.
Amanda Sakovitz says
the beach was always my favorite
Thomas Murphy says
I love the beach as a kid and now.
Jennifer Marie says
I love the beach.
Karla says
I’m definitely a beach gal.
Lauren says
I loved the beach as a kid — plus, we didn’t go to waterparks much, but were at the beach nearly every summer weekend! (At the Jersey shore.)
deanna says
fave: beach
xo
D SCHMIDT says
I always prefer to go to the beach because I am afraid of swimming pools
Crissy D. says
I love the beach, so much better than a waterpark
Lisa says
I loved watermarks when I was a kid but rarely got to go..now I’m a beach bum
Tamra H says
I’ve always loved the beach!
Livivua Chandler says
the water park because there was no beach around for miles
lizzy says
I liked going to the water park!
LaVonne says
I liked the water park!
mrsshukra says
Actually, neither, indoor person!
Southern Gal says
We grew up taking vacations to the beach every summer. I’m definitely a beach girl!
Jennifer B says
both! I really loved the beach and the parks
kathy stevenson says
As a kid, I preferred the waterpark.
Sharon Schoepe says
I liked the beach
DEBIJOT says
Growing up we always went to the beach every summer.
Bonnie says
I prefer the beach.
Stacey B says
Ive always preferred water parks.. no wild life in the waters!!
Donna L says
I liked going to the beach.
vickie couturier says
water park for sure
Cynthia R says
i loved the beach, favorite thing to do was look for shells
Jessica To says
I like both the beach and waterpark! You don’t get sand everywhere at the waterpark though!
Shannon S. says
waterpark loved the waterslides!!
Caroline B says
loved the beach.
Anne says
We would spend time at the beach.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
Definetly the water park!
Tabathia B says
When I was a kid it was the waterpark
Laura says
We didn’t have either (just the pool) but I would have preferred the beach.
Sheila K. says
I LOVED the beach!
Charlene S says
The beach is the best.
latanya says
the beach is what I would pick
Kerrie Mayans says
Waterpark for sure because I didn’t like the feeling of sand on me.
amyc says
Not really! I’m not a good swimmer and always burned easily. So, it was never really much fun for me.
Denise M says
the beach by my aunts house but actually more of a pool girl
shelly says
When I was a kid, I loved both!
Steph says
I liked the beach.
Anne Lehnick says
Mine was probably the swimming pool. We had neither a beach nor a waterpark nearby. I seldom went to a beach as a kid and only to a waterpark a few times. My preference would probably be the waterpark because it doesn’t have salt water or sand.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
I’ve Always Preferred The Beach.
Mary Happymommy says
I preferred the beach.
Lisa Brown says
I loved the beach
BusyWorkingMama says
I’ve always liked both!
Janet W. says
I’ve always been more of a beach person! It’s more relaxing!
Cindy B says
I’m a beach girl!
Stephen N. says
Never been to the beach. Loved water parks though.
Elis B. says
I like the beach
bn100 says
liked the beach
Terra Heck says
I prefer the water park. I like the different water rides. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
courtney hennagir says
definitely the beach. but then again,i am 31 years old and have never been to a waterpark!
Brandy W. says
The always enjoyed the Water park!!
Elena says
I liked the beach