10 Great Indie Films From The Past 5 Years You May Have Missed

Although a lot of elements in this heart-warming coming of age comedy drama will feel familiar, The Way Way Back executes them with enough originality and restraint so as not to ever feel cheesy, and the end result is a gratifying summer film about fun and finding oneself.

Our archetypal awkward 14 year old is Duncan (Liam James), who is forced to go away for the summer with his Mother (Toni Colette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carrell), and his stuck up daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin).

Unable to fit in amongst the jocks and cheerleader types his own age, and feeling uncomfortable with his Mother’s relationship with the reproachful Trent, Duncan soon finds sanctuary in the form of a nearby waterpark where the charismatic and free-spirited park manager, Owen (Sam Rockwell), gives him a job, takes him under his wing and acts as his care-free wise-cracking mentor.

The film was written and directed by the Oscar winning writers of The Descendants, Nat Faxon and Jim Rashare, who also both appear in minor roles.