Rating: 15
Director: Greg Mottola
Screenplay: Greg Mottola
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Screenplay: Greg Mottola
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Bill Hader.
Set in 80’s Pittsburgh – a time of The Velvet Underground
and pot cookies – Adventureland is the unique indie coming-of-age feature that
makes us laugh, cry and cringe all in one. Endearingly funny, awkward and smart
– Greg Mottola’s compelling vision of a typical teenage Summer is what makes
this film unlike any other comedy out there. With its quirky cast and epic
script, Adventureland is for anybody who’s ever had their heart stepped on,
ever been caught stuck in a dead-end job, ever been young and reckless, and
anybody who has ever fallen in love.
Jesse Eisenberg is genius as insecure and poetic student, James Brennan, whose Summer plans to travel are crushed ,as his family runs out of money and are forced to venture to Pittsburgh, where James reluctantly begins his job as a theme-park attendant at the run-down Adventureland. Eisenberg’s effective portrayal as the somewhat innocent virgin James is exceptional and the audience is on his side as soon as he cycles his bike through the park entrance.
The amusement park depicts a disarray of kooky rules, enforced by its equally kooky - if not slightly insane – owners, Bobby (Bill Hader) and Paulette (Kristen Wiig), such as – “nobody wins a Giant Ass Panda” and “no freebies, no free turns for your friends, no free upgrades”. Hilarious performances from both Hader and Wiig effectively present the madness of the 80s with their odd relationship and strange personalities – the epitome of 80s America. Mottola isn’t too heavy with the 80s theme. Subtle references to the era are made with wardrobe and the preppy punk soundtrack that could make Adventureland succeed alone. The movie is gracious and sleek, leaving the characters to establish the mood without frilly sets and overload of props.
Kristen Stewart is grungy and endearing as the troubled Em Lewin, a wry and compassionate teenager who has a taste for liquor and Husker Du. It is Em’s funny and enthralling nature that captures James’ attention - despite temptations from the park Goddess Lisa P (Margarita Levieva) – and the two characters form a bond that couldn’t be pulled off without Stewart and Eisenberg. The profound relationship is well demonstrated between the actors, delivering chemistry that is just the right balance of awkward and earnest. The two face the struggles of moving from youth to adulthood together, enjoying the ride and ignoring the responsibilities life throws at them on the way.
A brilliant and sharp cast help to create the Adventureland team we see on screen and so desperately wish to be part of. Martin Starr is dry and side-splitting as the miserable youth, Joel – pissed off with life, unable to bag himself a girl. Matt Bush is juvenile and novel as the giggly Frigo, and Ryan Reynolds is slick yet seedy as the cheating maintenance guy Connell – who missed his chance at rock-fame after jamming with Lou Reed. Supposedly.
Full of quips, quirks, kookiness and truth, Adventureland is a winner when it comes to a casual, light-hearted flick. It’s a movie for every teenager with its thoughtful analysis and a fun-loving charm that can teach a kid more about life than life itself. Mottola understands youth and teaches the audience to be brave when it comes to life, whether life be working a dead-end job or graduating Harvard Law. Adventureland speaks volumes, and for an easy-breezy comedy, it inspires no end.
Jesse Eisenberg is genius as insecure and poetic student, James Brennan, whose Summer plans to travel are crushed ,as his family runs out of money and are forced to venture to Pittsburgh, where James reluctantly begins his job as a theme-park attendant at the run-down Adventureland. Eisenberg’s effective portrayal as the somewhat innocent virgin James is exceptional and the audience is on his side as soon as he cycles his bike through the park entrance.
The amusement park depicts a disarray of kooky rules, enforced by its equally kooky - if not slightly insane – owners, Bobby (Bill Hader) and Paulette (Kristen Wiig), such as – “nobody wins a Giant Ass Panda” and “no freebies, no free turns for your friends, no free upgrades”. Hilarious performances from both Hader and Wiig effectively present the madness of the 80s with their odd relationship and strange personalities – the epitome of 80s America. Mottola isn’t too heavy with the 80s theme. Subtle references to the era are made with wardrobe and the preppy punk soundtrack that could make Adventureland succeed alone. The movie is gracious and sleek, leaving the characters to establish the mood without frilly sets and overload of props.
Kristen Stewart is grungy and endearing as the troubled Em Lewin, a wry and compassionate teenager who has a taste for liquor and Husker Du. It is Em’s funny and enthralling nature that captures James’ attention - despite temptations from the park Goddess Lisa P (Margarita Levieva) – and the two characters form a bond that couldn’t be pulled off without Stewart and Eisenberg. The profound relationship is well demonstrated between the actors, delivering chemistry that is just the right balance of awkward and earnest. The two face the struggles of moving from youth to adulthood together, enjoying the ride and ignoring the responsibilities life throws at them on the way.
A brilliant and sharp cast help to create the Adventureland team we see on screen and so desperately wish to be part of. Martin Starr is dry and side-splitting as the miserable youth, Joel – pissed off with life, unable to bag himself a girl. Matt Bush is juvenile and novel as the giggly Frigo, and Ryan Reynolds is slick yet seedy as the cheating maintenance guy Connell – who missed his chance at rock-fame after jamming with Lou Reed. Supposedly.
Full of quips, quirks, kookiness and truth, Adventureland is a winner when it comes to a casual, light-hearted flick. It’s a movie for every teenager with its thoughtful analysis and a fun-loving charm that can teach a kid more about life than life itself. Mottola understands youth and teaches the audience to be brave when it comes to life, whether life be working a dead-end job or graduating Harvard Law. Adventureland speaks volumes, and for an easy-breezy comedy, it inspires no end.
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