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.
