'Adventureland' review

Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg learn the ups and downs of summer lovin'

By Geoff Berkshire

Posted April 2, 2009

Metromix

The best laid plans of recent college grad James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) don't count for much when his girlfriend dumps him, his
parents inform him they can no longer bankroll a planned summer excursion to Europe and he realizes if he wants to go to grad school he's going to have to find a summer job. So James gets a gig at local amusement park Adventureland, where he meets troubled Em Lewin (Kristen Stewart) who just might be able to help him achieve another goal: losing his virginity.

The buzz: It's been almost two years since director Greg Mottola scored a big fat teen comedy hit with "Superbad," but most of the credit for that success went to producer Judd Apatow. Can Mottola prove himself with a lower key, seemingly more personal project? Oh, and after "Adventureland" wrapped production Stewart went on to star in some little vampire romance called "Twilight"—which has upped the buzz factor just a bit.

The verdict: "Adventureland" provides the opportunity to spend time with two very smart, likable characters played by two smart, likable actors—which is more than enough reason to check it out. Rising stars Eisenberg and Stewart are a perfect match, and their troubled characters bond over relatable issues of young adult frustration (disappointing parents, messy relationships, annoying coworkers, dreams deferred). This is a small movie, less laugh out loud hilarious than "Superbad," but just as touching and featuring stronger supporting characters including Ryan Reynolds as a surprisingly multi-dimensional amusement park handyman. Watching James and Em take their first steps toward adulthood isn't going to change your life, but there's something sweetly reassuring about the way the two stars manage to make it feel important anyway.

Did you know? Although Mottola actually worked at an Adventureland park in Farmingdale, New York in the late '80s, the filmmakers had to use Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh as the film's location, since it's one of the few parks in the country to retain that necessary '80s vibe.