The Way Back Review: 5 Ups & 2 Downs

1. An Authentic, Fully-Realized Setting

This may seem like an odd point, but it ties into what makes The Way Back work so well. In many dramas, good or bad, the world surrounding the central character often feels like it's just there as decoration. In this movie though, it's what makes you invested.

Unlike other films of this nature, the world surrounding these characters isn't a breeding ground for bad people with even worse behavior. The extras and side characters aren't just walking talking vessels of temptation or plot instigators, they're real people. Random citizens that greet Jack as he passes them by, converse through standard small talk, people that have lives beyond the specific role they play in the story.

Furthermore, the setting's small-town atmosphere and focus on realistic denizens allow for those scenes dedicating to humanizing Jack as you see him in social settings, having a good time. It's where you get a great sense of how pleasant a person he is (on good days), giving the viewer a firm reason to engage with his character and develop a sense of empathy towards him. You may not get to know most of the people that fill up each scene, but they more than serve a purpose to the effectiveness of the story.