Anti-Superbad still looks pro-awkward.
Adventureland
Directed by Greg Mottola
Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, 2009
By Brian Last
If you are expecting director Greg Mottola to spin out a sequel to his film debut Superbad, forget it. Mottola this time takes a more grown up approach to reaching his teenage/college audience, and, if you’ve ever worked a bad summer job, you’ll relate.
Set in the summer of 1987, Adventureland is a comedy about young college graduate, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg), who takes a summer job at a low-end amusement park to save money for Columbia University. Little does he know, but it will be one of the best summers of his life, and will prepare him quite appropriately for the real world.
Along the way, he meets some fellow slackers that help him get through all the rigours that a sub-par amusement park has to offer. One slacker in particular is love interest Em Lewin, played by Kristen Stewart, whose recent work includes Twilight. Rounding off the cast of park misfits is Bobby, (SNL’s Bill Hader) James’ very intense and outgoing boss. Bobby is serious about how things should be done and even steps in as James’ mentor.
James and Em have issues that weigh them down throughout the film. James deals with an alcoholic father, the main reason for his family’s economic troubles. On top of that, he is the type of person who falls too hard and fast for girls and then talks himself right out of relationships, which is the main reason he graduated college as a virgin. But, of course, he doesn’t see it that way. As for Em, she deals with a mother who is only two years deceased and a stepmother who she feels doesn’t belong there. Naturally, it’s a source of intimacy issues for the teen. They each make mistakes, which takes the story on a curve towards the end, as part of their maturation and coming of age.
Where off-the-wall and crazy humor is used in Superbad, Adventureland is almost the anti-Superbad. It is more sentimental and has more sweet, feel-good moments which can even strike as heavy-handed at times. Fortunately, Hader and the supporting cast bring in some off-the-wall sensibilities to offset the syrupy tendencies and keep the audience rolling in their seats.
The characters are flawed and you don’t always want to root for them, but by the end you leave the theater feeling good about them and the journey they’ve taken. Adventureland feels a touch long at just-under two hours, but with a good story, compelling characters and a lot of smart, well written dialogue, it draws you in and keeps you there. Adventureland takes you on a journey that is a summer you want to experience.
Enjoyed the movie a lot, Im hoping others do so too.
Loved this movie, and definitely qualifies as one of the best ones I’ve seen this year so far.
Surely, REELaddict, it couldn’t be better than 17 Again?
This movie was fantastic. Not really the comedy the advertisements make it out to be. Sure, there are funny moments, but it’s really just a great coming-of-age story with beautifully fleshed-out characters.
Totally one of the best I’ve seen this year. BARELY edging out 17 Again.