From the director of “Superbad” … declares the ads for the new comedy “Adventureland.”
But you won’t see McLovin, or a fraction of the raunch that ruled that comedy smash, in Greg Mottola’s latest.
Instead, Mottola delivers a winning tale of young, awkward love and the baby steps we make before entering the Real World.
Oh, and there’s a character whose signature move is punching the protagonist in the nads.
Mottola can’t entirely abandon the base, right?
“The Squid and the Whale’s” Jesse Eisenberg stars as James, a college grad desperate to raise money before embarking on this post-grad career. He takes a menial job at Adventureland, a Pittsburgh amusement park that requires workers to wear a goofy T-shirt and take abuse from snotty customers.
He meets some of the park’s regulars, including Em (Kristen Stewart), and quickly falls for her. She’s beautiful and aloof – how could a young intellectual resist?
But she’s having an affair with an older park employee, a handsome cad given texture by Ryan Reynolds.
When did Van Wilder become such an intriguing screen actor?
“Adventureland” is set in 1987, which allows for some goofy period fashions and an endless loop of “Rock Me, Amadeus” gags. The period doesn’t play into any other factor of the film, though, but audiences will be too amused to care.
The film brims with smart humor, touching remembrances of courtships past and a thoroughly detailed workplace that will resonate even with those who never mopped up vomit at a fun palace.
Stewart is so much better here than in “Twilight.” She’s tortured but grounded, a young woman scrambling to assemble a version of herself for which she can be proud.
Eisenberg does his best Michael Cera – the two could literally be interchangeable – but he’s just sensitive enough to carry the film. He gets plenty of assistance from “SNL” regulars Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, who delight as the park’s Mom ‘n’ Pop owners.
And then there’s Frigo (Matt Bush) the latest in the fine line of Stifler standouts.
“Adventureland” loses inspiration in the final 20 minutes, falling back on formula to wrap an otherwise charming tale. It’s still the best comic ride of the year.
(Photo: Jesse Eisenberg and Martin Starrs take a breather from cleaning up dried vomit in “Adventureland.” Photo credit: Abbot Genser courtesy of Miramax films.)
Related posts:
on 
on 
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Ryan Reynolds is great. I’ve noticed him in a lot of movies and he’s not just funny, he is a genuinely good actor. I hope to see him in some more serious roles.
Did you see Definitely Maybe? One of the better, more sophisticated rom-coms in recent memory.
Reynolds burst onto the scene with a wave of smug-osity. But he’s much better than that.
I haven’t seen Definitely Maybe yet. I did see him in the Amittyville Horror remake. I thought the film was slightly above average in relation to the current wave of horror remakes (it was light years better than Rob Zombies bastardization of Halloween) and I remember being impressed by his performance.
I also see that he is playing the role of Deadpool in the Wolverine movie…could be interesting.
Ah, the sliding scale of the modern horror movie. If a new one doesn’t stink … it feels like a classic. And I agree on “Amityville” remake — competent, to be sure.
Any chance Zombie’s “H2″ coming up makes amends for his awful remake?
The only thing that could fix the damage done to society from Zombie’s “Halloween” remake is a time machine and a baseball bat.
“The period doesn’t play into any other factor of the film, though, but audiences will be too amused to care.”
I thought the time period did play into the film, albeit subtly. There are no cell phones, no Ipods… no hint of the crazy-paced-lives we now all seem to be living.
Also, the economic hardships of the 80’s are on full display, in the backstory of James’ parents.
I thought this was a truly thoughtful movie, and I loved that it was set in the mid-80’s. It took the pace down a notch, which was refreshing. I also think this is why the high schoolers sitting behind us confessed to be bored to tears as we walked out of the theater. A sad commentary on present day? Perhaps.
typo – they confessed to being bored to tears…
Good points, Heidi … maybe the ’80s vibe was one reason why I identified with it so much.
But the late 80s were good, economically speaking (remember greed is good?) and the film was set in ‘87, I believe.
Minor points, though. Must say it drives me batty when I see a quality film and some troglodyte stumbles out of the theater and says, ‘that was stoopid.’
Many people could no longer afford their mortgage rates in the 80’s.
Greed is good!
Troglodyte will be my word of the day.