Adventureland Review
Adventureland Review
Written and Directed by: Greg Mottola
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Martin Starr, Ryan Reynolds, Matt Bush
Although Judd Apatow is currently one of the biggest comedy directors and producers working in Hollywood today, his legacy actually started back in the ’90s working as a writer on a number of TV shows. It was the often-praised yet criminally short-lived series, Freaks and Geeks, which he co-created with Paul Feig that truly showcased his touch for crafting stories that were both endearing and hilarious (and, in fact, launched the careers of almost everyone involved with it).
So why am I bringing up Freaks and Geeks in a review of a film that Judd Apatow had nothing to do with? Well, it’s because Greg Mottola’s Adventureland contains all of the same elements that made Freaks and Geeks such a beloved classic — even moreso than any of Apatow’s own films. Freaks and Geeks alumni Martin Starr also has a great role in the film, and while Mottola himself didn’t work on F&G, he did direct a number of episodes of Apatow’s follow-up series, Undeclared.
Greg Mottola is best known these days as the director of the teen comedy hit Superbad, and in a way it is unfortunate because Adventureland is a completely different film. This is not an laugh-a-minute sex comedy, but rather a sensitive coming-of-age tale about a nerdy college graduate who finds his first love while working at an amusement park for the summer. Don’t get me wrong, Adventureland is very funny, and there are crude jokes (it is rated R), but it’s still a far cry from the foul-mouthed, slapstick antics of Superbad.
None of the characters in Adventureland are cartoon characters; instead they are based in reality as the movie itself is semi-autobiographical. This is, I think, ultimately what makes Adventureland such a special film. You can tell that it is based on Mottola’s own experiences because it is crafted with so much care and attention to detail, and the emotions never feel artificial.
Jesse Eisenberg stars as James Brennan, a hopeless romantic who is graduating from college a virgin, but looking forward to running wild while backpacking through Europe with his friends. His dreams are shattered when his father gets demoted at work, leaving James with no choice but to work at a crappy theme park all summer in order to pay for grad school in the fall. Little does he know, he is about to cross paths with a whole new group of misfits including pothead philosopher Joel (Martin Starr), handyman/wanna-be rock star Mike (Ryan Reynolds), and the mysterious but alluring Em (Kristen Stewart).
Although some have accused Jesse Eisenberg of being a Michael Cera clone, I would argue that there is a big difference between the two. While Cera is hilarious and charming in his own way, he is a far bit more goofy than Eisenberg, who manages to be funny while also giving a grounded and believable performance. Eisenberg previously starred in Noah Baumbach’s The Squid and The Whale, and while he is not quite as neurotic this time around, he still talks very intelligently (as only a nerdy English grad would). This is one of the things I loved about both Eisenberg and Martin Starr in this movie: they totally capture the essence of well-educated dreamers who are suffering through crappy jobs that are way beneath them.
Kristen Stewart is also outstanding in Adventureland. Although she is now a huge star thanks to the Twilight series, this role takes me back to her appearances in Into The Wild and Undertow, where she has a certain rugged beauty, managing to be attractive but at the same time, a little rough around the edges. In this movie she is precisely the kind of person I would expect to find working at an amusement park, slightly damaged but seemingly wise beyond her years.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for me was Ryan Reynolds. For one, I didn’t even realize he was in the movie until I sat down to watch it, but also I’ve never seen him quite so subtle and relatable on screen. He plays a local musician whose claim to fame is that he once jammed with Lou Reed; everyone looks up to him, but once they get to know him they soon realize he is full of crap. He plays both a mentor and rival role in the film, and pulls both off admirably. On the flip side, Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig round out the supporting cast as the idiosyncratic owners of Adventureland. They don’t figure heavily in the plot but manage to contribute some of the film’s more silly moments.
To bring it back to Freaks and Geeks, Adventureland is also similar in the sense that it is a period piece, but it is set in 1987 rather than the ’70s. The soundtrack is a crucial component, but despite the constant referencing of Lou Reed, Mottola wisely avoids any self-indulgent moments (such as referring to a band as “life-changing”, for example). In the end, the music provides a refreshing mix of late ’80s indie rock in addition to a score by Yo La Tengo that suits the tone perfectly and gives the movie its own distinctive feel.
Even though Adventureland is not directly reminiscent of my own experiences growing up, it has an incredibly infectious sense of nostalgia. There’s something about hot summer days and teenagers hanging out at cheesy amusement parks and pondering the future that seems almost universal to me. As a result, the movie will probably connect more with viewers that are a little bit older than the characters in the film. I just hope people don’t go in with expectations of another Superbad because it’s not all about sex jokes and people getting hit in the crotch (although it does have that as well).
There’s a beauty and a truth to Adventureland that goes beyond mere popcorn entertainment, and that’s rare to find in comedies nowadays. You come to care deeply for each of these characters despite all of their flaws, and you are reminded of all the people throughout your own life who have made you who you are today. Bottom line: carnivals have a mystical quality about them (just ask Tom Hanks). Come for the corn dogs… stay for the experience! — Sean
SCORE: 
Recommended If You Like: Dazed and Confused, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Freaks and Geeks
Comments (16)
Couldn’t have reviewed it better myself. I saw this last week and loved it. I didn’t know exactly what to expect going in, but the sincerity and authenticity of the whole thing was a nice surprise. One of the best current examples I’ve seen of how to use an R rating effectively.
Posted by Neil M on April 1st, 2009Awesome, I’m really looking forward to this now.
Posted by Nuno on April 2nd, 2009Yeah im pretty excited for this movie. It really does seem like a film that genuinely depicts these kinds of situations.
Posted by Tyler G on April 2nd, 2009Michael Phillips in the Chicago Tribune just gave this 4 f*cking stars!?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-tc-mov-adventureland-review-apr03,0,2794262.story
It is my time period and my college roommate lived this experience – New Jersey summer job at a theme park, lost his virginity there…time to give him a call.
Posted by rus in chicago on April 3rd, 2009I just got back from seeing this movie and read the review which was right on. The movie was damn near perfect and I loved every minute of it. Go see this movie because you will not be disappointed.
Posted by paul on April 4th, 2009I just got back from seeing this movie and to say the least IT SUCKED!!!!! I actually caught myself staring at my hand rather than watching the movie. I can count only 4 funny parts in the movie, the plot was horrible, and it just runs on and on about nothing. I remember one part when a guy says “wanna go catch a shitty movie or something?” and i thought just go see adventureland. This movie is not worth your time, money, life, crap, i would not even see it if it was free.
Posted by Xavier on April 5th, 2009^Ignore this comment
Adventureland will probably be in my top 5 for the year. I’ll be shocked if it wasnt.
Posted by Goon on April 5th, 2009Xavier is correct. The movie is a simple story told bad. There is barely an arch for any ofvthe characters, which doesn’t matter because you don’t care about any of their problems.
The two from SNL and Ryan Reynolds were somewhat redeeming, but didn’t make up for boring situations, bad jokes, a completely failed attempt at doing a period piece, and female characters that I found insulting to female intelligence. They were written by some guy who has studied them from afar.
terrible. People that say otherwise were either attracted to someone in the film, as naive as the protagonist or work for the Production company
Posted by Graham on April 6th, 2009“terrible. People that say otherwise were either attracted to someone in the film, as naive as the protagonist or work for the Production company”
Who laid down the troll bait?
Posted by Dave on April 8th, 2009I can’t imagine Adventureland being in the top ranks of movies for this year. The plot left me bored after the first 20 minutes, and I am completely convinced that Eisenberg’s role was written for Michael Cera but he turned it down or something. And who in their right mind would turn down RYAN REYNOLDS for Jesse Eisenberg…honestly.
Also, the movie feels jumbled in a sense. There’s no real flow or consistency to the events that happen and I think that they try much too hard for a laugh.
Posted by Carly on April 8th, 2009The only thing I enjoyed was Kristen Wiig, who did a perfect job creating awkward humor.
This review is spot on. It is my favorite this year so far. The characters really draw you in and you can’t help but fall in love with all of them. Jesse Eisenberg, although comparable to Michael Cera, made the character his own. Saying he’s another Michael Cera is not fair.
But yeah, not everybody is going to like it. To them, try sticking to movies with Matthew McConaughey in them.
Posted by Jeff on April 8th, 2009This movie was filmed in the exact amusement park i work at, Kennywood. Its amazing because its the shittiest job and you make the best friends in the world there, the movie portrays what we all think, this job is shit, i cant wait to get off and dick around here with my friends. I loved it. 5/5
Posted by Kameron on April 9th, 2009This was one of the best films I’ve ever seen. Period. An instant classic. Anyone who does not like this film is just not tuned into the world around them. This film speaks to the post college American experience on so many levels. Brilliant. Go See This Film.
Posted by Grady on April 11th, 2009the Molly Hatchet T-Shirt Guy was awesome hot
Posted by Kris on April 14th, 2009this movie sucks asshole, i didnt even pay to see it, i downloaded it illegaly, and it still wasnt worth the time spent downloading it, there is no plot,no action and not even one part that made me laugh. and to top it off u dont even see the fuck scene in the end when she finally stops being a cock blocking bitch! final verdict…. this movie blows hairy sweaty saggy old ass donkey balls, dont see it period.
Posted by Glenn on August 11th, 2009awesome movies generate awesomely bad detractors.
On behalf of everyone in adventureland, I apologize for not filling a smart coming of age film with fuck scenes, car chases and Wayans family members.
Posted by Goon on August 11th, 2009Leave a Reply