Review of Adventureland (2009) by Ted L — 06 Jun 2012

Adventureland starts with the main character (Jesse Eisenberg) finishing college and planning a blow-out summer of travelling before taking up a grad position in New York. His plans go pear-shaped however, when his Dad, a sneaky alcoholic, is demoted at work and cannot afford to subsidise James's plans.

James moves home, and in order to save some money towards his grad college plans in the autumn, takes a crappy games job in the nearby Adventureland funfair. He meets Em (Kirsten Stewart), an intense vulnerable girl working there, not yet recovered from her mother's death, nor from her father-remarriage somewhat insensitively soon afterwards. They start to date but Em is at the same time secretly wrapped up in a miserable seedy affair with a married man who also works at the fair. And, this being a film, of course that secret emerges with the result of drama and much angst!

I didn't go to see this film originally in the cinema, mainly because of Ms Stewart, and being sick of seeing her grumpy face in the midst of all the 'Twilight' hype. But I saw, and loved, 'Zombieland', and decided to give Adventureland a chance because I was impressed by Jesse Eisenberg in the former. I'm glad I did because this was another great film from the director of Superbad, set in the 80's but not sickeningly retro (the 80's influence is mainly referenced in the excellent soundtrack). There's some great humorous moments which aren't as blokey as those in Superbad, and as a film, Adventureland is quirky yet believable.

I was again impressed by Eisenberg's perfomace, this time as a virginal bloke just out of college, and also even by Stewart who when not doing her usual sulky repertoire, had some inspired moments. The supporting cast also impressed me, some from the usual pool of actors in Judd Apatow films â" nothing wrong with that as they are always impressive in whatever roles they take on in a film. Overall I'd rate this film highly, especially in you loved Superbad and could go for something a bit gentler but with more intelligence.