Adventureland captures the essence of
twenty-something reality in showing the inevitability of compromise and
sacrifice of life after college. Hopes, dreams and ideals are endangered
species in the real world, and this is apparent in nothing more than a summer
job. James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) plans on taking a trip to Europe before starting graduate school, but when he
discovers that his father has been laid off, the graduate is forced to get a
summer job instead, simply with the hope that he will be able to afford further
schooling.
Unlike Waiting,
the restaurant comedy, Adventureland shows
a sweeter and more realistic view of a crappy job. Most of the time it is
boring, and what amusement there is to be found can usually be found in co-workers.
The theme park is run by enthusiastic couple, Bobby and Paulette (Bill Hader
and Kristen Wiig), maintained by the heartthrob married handyman, Connell (Ryan
Reynolds), though James learns how the amusement park really works through the
help of another co-worker (played by Martin Starr) who seems too intelligent to
be working fixed games at a glorified carnival.
With the little
brain power that is required to run the games, there is plenty of time for
James to focus on other things. There are two different girls that attract his
attention at the amusement park, including fellow games employee, Em (Kristen
Stewart). Stewart is best known as the star of the increasing popular Twilight
franchise, but she has a natural acting ability that makes her perfect for a
film like this. The conversations between James and never seem forced, but more
importantly, she comes off as a real person. This is far more interesting to
watch than a cookie-cutter plot with characters that act in ways that will
ensure a happy ending. If these characters end up together it never promises to
be neat or clean, and the truth and honesty of the film is worth the mess.
Although this is
a comedy, there is a great deal more subtlety than director Greg Mottola’s last
teen comedy, Superbad. The characters
rather than the scenarios seem to take precedence in the plot, and there is
more depth allowed when the humor is not forced. In many ways the film reminds
me of the television show “Freaks and Geeks”: the humor comes from the situations
which are dramatic to the characters in the show. Creating characters able to
be laughed at and cared for simultaneously is tricky, and Mottola’s script
comes to life in this way.
Entertainment Value:
10/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 8/10
Historical
Significance: 7/10
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