Jesse Eisenberg (James) and Kristen Stewart (Em)
(take it easy on me, it's my first review...probably really unorganized and bad)
A Coming of Age movie...with Big Ass Pandas
Adventureland is set in the summer of 1987. James Brennan is a recent college graduate with summer plans to move to New York until his funds run low. He soon discovers that his four years of Renaissance studies are of no importance in finding a paying job. With no other options, he is forced to take a job at a local amusement park, which turns out to be closer to the real world than he's ever been.
In marketing Adventureland advertisers had the audience so focused on the film's connection to Superbad, that it threatens to get lost among the genre of "Judd Apatow comedies" (Apatow had no hand in it). This movie differs from those comedies because it doesn't rely solely on the stringing along of jokes. Instead what the viewer gets is a study of the humor and heartbreak of growing up.
Adventureland was written and directed by Superbad director Greg Mottola who in the past has also directed episodes of Arrested Developement.
Mottola has written an endearing coming-of-age story about growing up post college and being hit with the harsh reality of the world outside of education. He does this in the context of a depressing amusement park job where the games are fixed and escapes lie in pot cookies and bumper cars. Jesse Eisenberg (James) has managed to capture awkward realistically and intelligently (unlike Michael Cera). It's just a shame more people aren't aware of who he is, having had a lead in the critically acclaimed
The Squid and the Whale. Upon my exit from the theater I actually overheard a group of people debating whether he was "the guy from
Juno." (Of course the movie snob in me had to point out that he wasn't). Eisenberg actually has emotional range.
An even greater shame is that
Kristen Stewart(Em) gives a great performance, but will be tied to the mediocre
Twilight for sequels to come.
In
Adventureland she proves her ability to take on complex characters and I only hope she continues to choose roles which display her talent instead of stifle it.
The story really touches on the experience of being stuck in limbo after college, even making a valid comment about society's devaluation of degrees in arts and literature. Granted the movie takes place in 1987, its themes still ring true. The movie is funny, poignant and above all else has a message; understanding that in life, like at Adventureland, no one wins a big ass panda.
