‘Adventureland’ highlights 1987
Once again the 1980s pull me back to a time of the sideways ponytail and new-wave music.
“Adventureland,” set in 1987, is the sophomore effort of director and writer Greg Mottola of “Superbad” fame.
However, you shouldn’t go see “Adventureland” in hopes of enjoying the same kind of immature humor.
Don’t get me wrong, “Adventureland” has some hilarious moments, but first and foremost, it is a coming-of-age story of an upper-middle class college graduate. Because of the state of the stock market in the ’80s, he must pay his own way to grad school after his father is forced into a lower paying position.
Jesse Eisenberg plays James Brennan, the aforementioned grad, who is forced to take a summer job at Adventureland, the local amusement park.
Adventureland is run by Bobby and Paulette, played by Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig respectively.
Hader provides the most enjoyable comic moments of the movie with his particular brand of off-beat humor.
Again, this film is not primarily a comedy. That is where the character of Em Levin comes in.
Played by Kristen Stewart of “Twilight” fame, Em becomes Brennan’s love interest.
Their interaction seems tragically awkward, giving their story a feeling of realness.
Without revealing too much of the plot, Brennan makes new friends, problems arise with his love life and he begins to step into his new role as an adult.
This movie’s characters are about as true to life as it gets. They all seem like the friends of friends that everyone has a story about.
While the movie is set in the ’80s, it doesn’t feel like an ’80s movie; it feels effortless.
In contrast to the reality of the setting and characters, some of the shots of the film seem surreal because of their simplicity and sheer beauty. The cinematographer, Terry Stacey, did an amazing job, and I don’t think it would have been the same experience without his work.
Motolla has made an incredible film in which the fantasy of film embraces the rigors of reality. It is not a new story, but it would be a shame to miss this wonderful retelling.
Rating: A
—Luke Carter
Staff Writer
