|
Adventure-land
Directed by: Greg Mottola Starring: Jesse Eisenberg Genre: Comedy/Drama/ Romance Run Time: 107 min. Release Date: April 2009 On The Web: Unofficial Site Teaser: Movie Trailer Reviewed by Byron Merritt |
ADVENTURELAND will be enjoyed by those who go in with either no knowledge of the story, or those that thought it might be a comedy but quickly come to understand that it’s much more than that. More of a quirky summer romance than a laugh-out-loud comedy, Adventureland gets some surprisingly high marks for taking a tried and true genre and marketing it to young adults — as well as those of us with a touch of gray — who remember working the odd job in order to make money for school, and finding much more than just an income. Director Greg Mottola springs into action again after his wildly successful teen comedy SUPERBAD. Mottola proved his comedic talent in that flick, but here in Adventureland pulls back and gives us more of a bittersweet love story with a comedic shell. For those of you who saw (and loved) ZOMBIELAND, you’ll definitely want to see Jesse Eisenberg in this film. Although he’s not running for his life from brain-starved zombies, he is running toward a life as a man, trying to figure out where he’s going and how he wants his life to pan out. Kristen Stewart (INTO THE WILD) plays the love interest. She’s the perfect confused and embittered daughter of a recently remarried father and "evil" stepmother. Finding solace in the sexual declivities of a married maintenance man, Em (Stewart) sees a kind spirit in James (Eisenberg), and the two form a budding romance that rocks, shatters, and builds as they discover what each has to offer the other. The entire film circles around James’ need to earn some cash for college after his parents’ finances fall apart. He finds the only job offered to him at an amusement park named, yep, Adventureland. It is run by Bobby (comedic superstar Bill Hader, TROPIC THUNDER) and his wife Paulette (Kristen Wiig, KNOCKED UP). This park and it’s workers are what makes for an interesting and occasionally funny mix. Bobby guides Adventureland with a quirky yet firm hand. The crew that helps run the park are as diverse as America itself, and often just as screwed up. One of them has been a long-time friend of James’ and loves punching him in the groin. Another (known only as Lisa P) is the sexually desirable yet unknown virginal girl that all the guys lust after. And still another is an obviously mentally challenged security guard who is the knowledge-base about everyone and everything that goes on within (and around) the park. As you can see, there’s a lot going on, and not all of it is funny. In fact, if you go into the film thinking it’s going to be SUPERBAD 2, prepare to be disappointed. Unfortunately, many of the previews gave that impression. Although there’s comedy lightly (very lightly) sprinkled throughout, it’s not what makes this movie go. It is post-teen angst and a surprisingly great love story that allows many of us a walk down memory lane.
|
Image from Adventureland
DVD cost: $26.49 Purchase: Tower.com (Blu-Ray) Film Review Stew Favorite? No. Stew Poo-Poo? No. Newsworthy: Adventureland was filmed in Pittsburgh, PA. The amusement park in the movie is known as Kennywood Park. The rides shown in the movie are actual rides, although the names of the games have been changed. Movie Quote: "I think somebody was trying to write "Satan Lives" on that wall but they spelled it "Satin Lives"."
Other Actors/Actresses from Adventureland
|
|
Images from Adventureland
|
