This week we'll be taking a look at the dramedy, Adventureland ( R). Jesse Eisenberg stars as a recent college graduate whose summer plans fall apart resulting in him going back to his home town of Pittsburgh to work at the aptly named amusement park, Adventureland. Kristen Stewert, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig and Ryan Reynolds co-star in the film. Greg Mottola directs.
Andy: Adventureland is a rare treat for this time of year, an authentic, quirky romantic comedy. The ad campaign surrounding the movie made it seem like a throw away comedy. While it is not a particularly deep movie, it does have a great deal of heart, and that carries it a long way. Greg Mottola has created a film that has a personality that is easy to fall for.
Ryan: Adventureland is directed by Mottola and he earned fame a few years by directing the hit comedy Superbad. Upon seeing the trailer for Adventureland my first reaction was to think that this was basically going to be Superbad but based in the '80's. That isn't the case but that's alright. Whether or not one was a fan of Superbad is negligible because Adventureland is a different kind of movie. It's a well executed coming-of-age story that is just as much drama as comedy. But it's a good mix of both ingredients and that perfect blend propels it to be a successful film.
Andy: One of the more appealing aspects of Adventurland is how the film balances itself between childhood and adulthood. In many ways the characters seem like unruly high-schoolers, an effect enhanced by the lead actors legitimately being the ages they are portraying. They are young adults, just out of college but not yet prepared or able to enter the “real world” work-force. The carefree partying coupled with the disappointment and desperation of becoming adult adds validity to Adventureland that helps it stand up.
Ryan: Mottola—who based much of the story on his own experiences—does an outstanding job not letting the comedy or drama go to either extreme. Consequently the film's narrative is tight and that makes for an authentic story that moviegoers can relate to. Furthermore I appreciate how Mottola sets the film in 1987 but doesn't keep reminding the audience that the movie is set in the '80's by having overt and ridiculous references. That subtly allows the movie to be relevant to its time but also express more universal ideas of love, friendship and self-worth.
Andy: At the core of the movie’s success is the performance of Jesse Eisenberg. As the movie’s main character, he is in almost every scene, and he pulls it off very well. Eisenberg was more than adequate in 2005’s “The Squid and the Whale,” and he expands on that performance here. He plays an awkward but charming young man who seems to feel all the little triumphs and failures of a summer job. Coupled with the adorable and vulnerable turn by Kristen Stewart, Adventureland boasts some solid, young talent.
Ryan: Also contributing to the movie's success are the two lead performances by Eisenberg and Stewert. Eisenberg, who some might remember from The Squid and The Whale, again delivers a quirky yet confident performance that shows that he can carry a movie of this magnitude. Most people will know Stewert from her being in the ubiquitous Twilight film. (I haven't seen that movie so I did not recognize her). Nonetheless I might be one step closer to watching that film (but probably not) because I was impressed with Stewert's performance. Her character was pretty messed up but she handled the part in a realistic fashion that showed a lot of strength.
Adventureland is a slightly unconventional film that charms its way to a solid B+.
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