Plot
James is an early 20’s college graduate in Pittsburgh. He is a virgin and has recently had his heart broken after being dumped. He is about to start a graduate programme in NYC funded by his parents. When they announce that they are having financial issues and can no longer support him, he must start working at Adventureland – the local amusement park. There he meets new people including Emily – the sweet co-worker – who he begins to fall for.
Cast/Characters
Jesse Eisenberg is well cast as James, and I think he’s a solid leading actor. He is able to handle nuances of characters like James – from his introverted ‘ness’, and his awkwardness around others, especially the opposite sex.
I quite enjoyed Kristen Stewart as Emily. I have never been on the bandwagon of the hatred she gets, and have always found her pleasant. I did however think at times they both struggled a little with the heavier dramatic aspects of the film.
Ryan Reynolds appears as Connell, a married man who Emily is having an affair with. he was ‘just okay’ in the role, and to be honest felt like he was sleepwalking through the role, and almost seemed like he had a gun to his head while filming.
Some of the other ‘teen’ or younger characters, were very obviously played by adults. The MVP to me was Wendie Malick as James’ mother.
SNL vets Bill Hader and Kristin Wiig are both very funny as well in their respective roles as the Adventureland bosses – obviously working well off of each other with the way they work.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
Written and directed by Greg Mottola, it is subtle and sweet in its direction. The screenplay was well written, and almost seemed like it was written with Eisenberg in mind for the lead role.
In regards to its era authenticity – I did not find the 1987 timeline too believable. Characters idiosyncrasies and mannerisms. Even some of the fast-paced dialogue felt a little out of place, and rather were part of the actors’ methods than the era appropriate nature.
There is the stock standard, ‘will they/wont they’ along with the love triangle including Connell and another character named Lisa.
Score/Soundtrack
There is a subtle score in the third act, and a fun soundtrack that includes 70s and 80s tunes, as well as James’s mix tape making it into the screenplay.
Overall
I did find it a tad too long at 107m, and thought it could have been edited down to the 90m mark.
Despite the slight flaws I found, I really did enjoy this, and give this a recommend.
3.5/5
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