Review - Adventureland

Studio/Production Company: Miramax
Director: Greg Mottola
Written by: Greg Mottola
Rating: R for language, drug use and sexual references
Release Date: April 3, 2009
Genre: Comedy-drama
Strong Points: Excellent use of soundtrack; excellent acting all around; understated direction adds to the film; dialogue flows naturally; nothing feels forced or off kilter
Weak Points: Some cheap laughs thrown in feel out of place; not really a comedy
Technical Score: A
Artistic Score: A
Final Score (not an average): A+
Moral Warnings: Some drug and alcohol use; at least three scenes feature prominent marijuana use; profanity litters the film, including several uses of f*** and several blasphemies; sex is featured prominently, though no sex scenes occur, just implications

Once in a while, a movie will come out of nowhere and surprise the viewer with the sheer quality of the film presented. Often, a film like this will have no business being as good as it is, but somehow, through the efforts of the director or the actors or of something else, all the parts come together and make a whole that is, quite literally, stunning. This is in a word what “Adventureland” is: Stunning.

Coming from Greg Mottola, director of “Superbad,” and starring Jesse Eisenberg (“The Squid and the Whale”) as James Brennan, Kristen Stewart (“Into the Wild,” “Twilight”) as Em Lewin, and featuring Ryan Reynolds (“Waiting…”) in a surprisingly understated performance, “Adventureland” initially surprised me. Advertised as a comedy, the film is written and directed as more of a drama with subtle comedy elements. Much of the slapstick and witty dialogue of “Superbad” is left behind for more subtle comedy elements, greatly lending to the dramatic feel of the film.

In fact, one of the greatest things about “Adventureland” is its feel. Throughout the entire film, “Adventureland” remains understated. Each scene feels natural, and dialogue flows more naturally than Kevin Smith’s best work. What’s absolutely amazing is how skillfully Mottola makes us care for his characters, despite the occasionally horrible and often sophomoric things that they do. These are, absolutely, a group of the most fully realized college kids that I’ve yet seen on film, a feat that both impressed me as it occurred and stuck with me long after the film had ended its 107 minute runtime.

The premise is quite simple: James, a recent college grad, is forced to work at a small amusement park in his hometown after his parents inform him that not only is he not going to Europe for the summer (which they had volunteered to pay for as a graduation gift), but that they can’t help with his grad school payments, either. This set up introduces James to love interest Em, as well as secondary characters, such as nerdy Joel (Martin Starr), and eccentric Adventureland owners and husband-and-wife team Bobby (Bill Hader) and Paulette (Kristen Wiig).

Through the course of the film, as we see James stumble awkwardly through parties and pot smoke and romance, a feeling of sympathy is formed. Everything James goes through is utterly understandable, if not relatable: his feelings of isolation, his awkwardness, his mistakes.

Throughout the slow evolution of the film, we find both Mottola’s script and direction combining in skillful ways that, while not altogether innovative or unexpected, provide “Adventureland” with a directorial confidence rarely found in this type of film. James’ pubescent awkwardness is masterfully portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg, who conveys a sort of virginal fascination with the opposite sex without ever explicitly saying so, while Kristen Stewart’s Em seems simultaneously world-weary and naïve, innocent and sensual, something that hints at the skill that the young actress has at her craft.

If there would be any hesitation I would have about recommending this movie to others, it would be because of the content of the film. Two or three scenes feature prominent marijuana usage, and profanity litters the proceedings, with every word in the book, including blasphemy. Sex is also a major component of the movie, though there are no sex scenes, just scenes of sensuality, involving kissing and not much more.

“Adventureland” is, by far, the best film I’ve yet seen in 2009. It hits all the right bases and comes off as a sweet and sympathetic reflection on young love. Certainly it won’t be for everyone, and one’s enjoyment will likely depend on both age and personal experience, but for those for whom the film is meant, it feels like someone finally got it: that elusive feeling that comes with really falling in love for the first time while still being so uncertain about one’s sense of self.

-Drew Regensburger (drew@revolve21.com)