Adventureland (2009)

3.5

COMEDY
U.S. Release Date: 04/03/09
Running Length: 107 Minutes
MPAA Classification: R (Language, Drug Use and Sexual References)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Bill Hader, Ryan Reynolds, Martin Starr, Kristen Wiig
Director: Greg Mottola
Screenplay: Greg Mottola
Cinematography: Terry Staceys
U.S. Distributor: Miramax Films

Review by: Carter Moulton

03/29/09

Welcome to comedy in the 21st century, where awkward humor is king. Dan In Real Life, Knocked Up, Superbad, Juno, The 40-Year Old Virgin—you get the picture. Stars have already spawned from this newly re-energized genre: Seth Rogen, Michael Cera, and Steve Carrell to name a few. The newest addition to the list, and mark this down, is Jesse Eisenberg. In 2005, Eisenberg starred in The Squid and the Whale, a critically acclaimed film, which, ironically, was another awkward angst comedy. Now at the age of 25, Eisenberg almost single-handedly elevates Adventureland from funny-but-forgettable to borderline-work-of-art.

Adventureland, set in 1987, is about James Brennan (Eisenberg), an aspiring journalist and recent college graduate who plans to attend Columbia College for his graduate studies. He’s an intellectual, and Eisenberg plays the role with all the wit and nerdy-charm one would expect out of a literature enthusiast. When his father’s job is transferred—recession anyone?—James has to put his career on hold and get, gulp, a summer job. After applying at numerous places and not finding anything substantial, he settles for Adventureland theme park.

Photo © Miramax Films

While on the job he meets Em, a girl who is constantly trying to cope with behind-the-scenes family drama. Kristen Stewart (a little movie called Twilight) is surprisingly felt as Em, and the subdued moments between Em and James are definitely the most memorable. They find themselves amidst a summer fling, but will they fall in love? Twists and turns threaten their romance during the summer, and other characters are thrown into the circus, such as Mike (the maintenance manager of the park, played by Ryan Reynolds) and Lisa P. (a stereotypical 80’s fad-driven girl).

Luckily, the supporting actors are just as delightful as the leads. Joel (Martin Starr) is James’ best friend at Adventureland, and he’s a refreshingly simple character to behold—Starr plays him with a perfect balance of anguish, uncertainty, and charm. Saturday Night Live contributors Bill Hader and Kristin Wiig are great—especially during the second half—as the park owners who hire James on the spot. Hader steals the show in one scene involving a baseball bat. Also, listen for an amusing theme song that emerges at Adventureland: “Rock Me Amadeus.”

The major question I had while going into Adventureland was whether or not it would be able to break away from its crude predecessors. Director Greg Mottola answered that question quickly, infusing heart, blurry city lights, and pastel color into Adventureland, making it not only a funny film, but also a film with emotional and visual attractiveness. Mottola has much more directorial freedom here than he did with Superbad, and it really pays off. He takes Adventureland to a sweeter, more relevant, less vulgar level, and the result is a work more like Little Miss Sunshine or Juno than Superbad—meaning that any offensiveness playfully compliments, not overwhelms, the story. Adventureland may not perform as well at the Box Office as Superbad did, but don’t be fooled: it’s a more polished and dramatic film—and it’s just as funny.