Adventureland (2009)

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Martin Starr


I chose to see Adventureland over 500 Days of Summer at the very last minute because a)I was tired and it was on earlier
b)I'd heard good noises about it
c)I have a massive thing for Ryan Reynolds (sorry).

Adventureland is set in 1987 (the year I was born), but the opening scene (a college party) didn't seem so removed from the kind of parties I'd ended up at in the last few years. I guess that either means I've been hanging out with some dope-smoking and deceptively young-looking 40 year olds, or that maybe the 80s wasn't quite the shell-suited train wreck I previously perceived it to be. From what I could tell, the "way things were" seem a lot like "the way things still are". Maybe that's why I pretty much forgot it was set in 1987. Then again, maybe I was just being extra blonde.

The story runs thus - James (played by Eisenberg, who is alarmingly like Superbad's Michael Cera) has just graduated from college, and plans to travel round Europe all summer with his best friend Eric (a charismatic and compelling Michael Zegen, who stood out despite being in only 3 scenes). He's also a virgin and hoping to lose his "crimson V" fast.

Cue James' parents, who can't afford to finance his trip anymore, or (and here's the kicker) his tuition fees for grad school in New York come the end of summer. Armed with a laboriously written and ultimately useless CV, an awkward yet endearing stammer and a shit-load of joints (courtesy of Europe-bound Eric), James rapidly discovers that the only place he's able to find work is the rundown themepark in his home town - Adventureland.

Enter Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, the owners. Bill Hader has been a favourite of mine for a while now, and his turn as the eccentric boss certainly doesn't disappoint. Wiig is also hilarious, though I wonder how long the "mumbling weird things" routine is going to work for her.

Fetchingly emblazoned "games" shirt in hand, James heads off to the stalls, where he meets the nerdy, googly-eyed lifer J (Starr of Knocked Up, though considerably less bearded). Some well put together and amusing scenes ensue, concerned with the extremely unfairly rigged amusements, the acknowledgement that only the cool kids work on the rides, and the assertion that under no circumstances should anyone win a "Big-ass panda". Also working on games is Kristen Stewart's punky Emily, hard to place when not sucking face with a vampire. James instantly falls for her, unaware that she's pretty busy helping the Handyman (Reynolds) cheat on his wife once a week.

Adventureland really struck a chord with me. I think it will with anyone who's worked long hours in a mundane summer job where the only real fun you have is with the people working beside you. It delicately and realistically shows the progression of James and Emily's relationship; noticably exhibiting an entirely refreshing lack of slow motion kisses and melodrama. You also find yourself caring deeply for a few of the other workers - no huge character flaws are made obvious, just a completely human feel to each and every one. We've all met these people: the guy who boasts and lies because he feels inadequate, the girl who seems to put it about but is actually still a virgin, the unhappy guy in his 30's going through a pre-emptive midlife crisis.

The casting is absolutely top-notch - Eisenberg's portrayal of James is so full of humility and feels so genuine that it's hard to believe he's any different in real life. Stewart similarly is fantastic, though perhaps a little too comparable with her best-known role of Bella Swan in Twilight. She's the same awkward and reserved character, though it's great to see her spit out a few swear words for once. Even Ryan Reynolds deserves a nod for his performance (and no, not because I fancy him), but because he plays a completely straight role, with literally no elongation of vowels or taking his shirt off. Surprised? I sure was. And maybe a little disappointed about the latter.

The film even has a perfectly realistic ending, and I was delighted upon reading up on it to find out it's semi-autobiographical, which lends so much more credibility in my opinion.

Go see it! Now!

(and if you have 3 twatty northerners who insist on sighing all the way through the film because it's not exactly like American Pie, just turn round and tell them to shut the fuck up. Worked for me.)



nb - also can't wait to see Eisenberg in Zombieland, which is a film that's either going to completely suck or absolutely rule.