In the summer of 1987, things weren't going too well for James Brennan. After serving his time in the college education system, he was anxiously awaiting his dream tour of Europe. But when his parents reveal that they can no longer subsidize his trip, he has no choice but to take a job at the local amusement park. So now, in place of the ancient monuments and world-class museums, Brennan's life is filled with stuffed pandas and the endless sound of cheesy games and rides. But all that is easily overlooked when Em steps out of the shadows, proving that at times, it takes a weird turn of fate to discover the one you are truly meant to be with.
Starting fast out of the gate, Greg Mottola's Adventureland provides for a clever blend of humor, drama and romance; all of which come together to form the ideal coming-of-age story that has gone missing over the last several years.
Jesse Eisenberg stars as our lead protagonist James, and through his eyes, the events and happenings of the time are captured in full gear. The colors, dull and unappealing, fully incorporate the 80s look, causing many pop-culture references to create smiles and light chuckles. And together, with the help of Bill Hader, Kristen Stewart and Ryan Reynolds, the cast delivers each line flawlessly, bringing forth an earnest, subdue style of comedy that you can't help but sit back and admire.
While the film does feature a handful of well known stars, it was the work of Kristen Wiig that truly impressed me. Settling for a background character, Wiig effectively feeds off her cast mates, generating laughs with her subtle, almost impulsive reactions as the under confident Paulette. From her constant shaking of the head to her soft, out-of-the-blue remarks, Wiig comes alive as the amusement park's co-owner, helping to give an unexpected spark during just the right moments.
The fact that the film is well written almost goes without saying as you are constantly reminded of the era in which the film is set. But ultimately, what is shown on screen far outreaches words on a page. The combined chemistry of the cast, mixed with the all-too-familiar tunes of the 80s and the clever set of fateful incidents help bring the film home. And while the witty, sarcastic jokes don't always create the slapstick laughs that many films strive for, for Adventureland that is okay. The film represents a youthful summer of surprises; one that challenges the way we think, act and live. Nothing more, nothing less.
