Review of Adventureland (2009) by Lasse C — 14 Aug 2011
A rip off an 80â(TM)s teen comedy, that kind of throws in the 80â(TM)s simply for nostalgiaâ(TM)s sake. I enjoyed the premise, and found it to be typically cliche at times, with some really nice moments here and there.
Itâ(TM)s the usual story of kids struggling to make money and struggling to make love, with James (Jesse Eisenberg) getting a job at a theme park and falling for Em (Kristen Stewart), a fellow employee.
Conflict comes when they both get involved with other people and lose sight of what they could have had with each other. You can guess the ending. Itâ(TM)s got some funny moments, and the performances certainly stand above general teen comedies.
Thereâ(TM)s no chemistry, however, and throws in a bunch of characters without much payoff for any of them. The film introduces a lot of conflicts but doesnâ(TM)t feel that it needs to pay them much attention either, with family dynamics and friendship troubles hinted at, but never really explored.
I like the direction it was trying to take, Iâ(TM)m just not sure screenwriter-director Greg Mottola could steer it all the way. SNL vets Kristin Wiig and Bill Hader were a highlight though, as usual, but sadly their time on screen was about the only time that I felt the comedy.
C+.
This review of Adventureland (2009) was written by Lasse C on 14 Aug 2011.
Adventureland has generally received positive reviews.
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