Review of Adventureland (2009) by Gerald D — 04 Dec 2012

Understated and effective coming of age story that doesn't try to parade out a host of period cliches. I've wanted to see this one for a while especially after seeing that the soundtrack contained a couple of what are in my estimation the greatest songs by The Replacements.

There aren't many laugh out loud moments and the movie doesn't pander to any generational demographic, in fact I forgot going in and didn't realize till halfway through that it was set in the 80's.

Jesse Eisenberg plays what has become his stereotypical role of a nerdy, vaguely nebbish, and uptight character who is believably awkward. Kristen Stewart performance was skillfull but there never seems to be any real emotional connection between the two but true-to-life teen romances are often frought with alternating extremes hormonal exuberance and apathy.

The hilarious and talented Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig are amusing as the owners of the amusement park and prove to have the memorable moments in the movie. Ryan Reynolds plays an older brother type whose motivation and character development never materialize and the exceptional Martin Starr reprises his geeky sullen sardonic best friend character from Freaks and Geeks, in what proved for me to be some of the more entertaining scenes in the movie.

Ultimately the trite unimaginative ending left me much like the phenemonal Mat's song used in the ending sequence--Unsatisified.