3 stars out of 5
There are worse ways to spend 103 minutes. It’s a likable enough movie, to be sure: Summertime, lazy beachfront community, confused teen, mom’s jerky boyfriend, simmering trouble at home, attractive girl next door. Oh, there’s a water park too. The trouble is, I wanted to love the movie. And I did not.
Who’s to blame? Writers and directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash? (a.k.a. Ben from TV’s unfairly canceled Ben & Kate and the bald guy from the unfairly renewed Community) But they wrote The Descendants, and I loved The Descendants! Well, a couple of key differences: Alexander Payne directed The Descendants. Faxon and Rash aren’t nearly as skillful or subtle. And The Descendants was anchored by George Clooney and up-and-coming Shailene Woodley. Here we get Steve Carrell and that mopey kid from The Killing.
I’m fine with Carrell playing against type as an unlikable guy, but it’s a really one-dimensional character. And young Liam James, who was so boring as Linden’s son on The Killing, is equally dull here. He just isn’t a strong enough actor to breathe any life into lead character Duncan. Yes, it’s tough being 14 years old. But if we’re going to root for you, show us a little zest, a little nuance, some hidden spirit.
Toni Collette is fine as Duncan’s mom, who wants so much to be happy that she overlooks deep flaws in her relationship. AnnaSophia Robb is appealing as the wise-yet-vexing girl next door. Sam Rockwell has a lot of fun as the owner of the local amusement Water Wizz, where Duncan finds solace. Rockwell is the liveliest character here, even if the dialogue he’s handed often feels sitcommy. Amanda Peet, Rob Corddry, Allison Janney—everybody’s OK.
But just OK. I guess the water park was the big problem for me. I wanted this to be another Adventureland, which so perfectly captured the sweet ache of youth. Alas, Water Wizz is no Adventureland.
Jack Silbert, curator