Filed under: Movies | Tags: Adventureland, Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Movies, Ryan Reynolds
Best. Movie. Ever. It was easy to find myself enraptured by the lives of these characters in their early-twenties when the future is still uncertain and self-confidence is still under development. They want to have the carefree fun of kids, but are dealing with adult emotions. Their time at Adventureland almost seems like a last hurrah of adolescence.
Adventureland is the story of James Brennan (played by Jesse Eisenberg) during the summer after his college graduation in 1987. He was all set for the post-graduation summer abroad before heading off grad school. His plans are squashed by a shift in his parents’ financial situation, which leads him back to his hometown and working the only job for which he is able to qualify: games booth guy at the local amusement park, Adventureland.
It is at Adventureland that James finds love, although it doesn’t come easily. His love interest, Em (played by Kristen Stewart), is struggling with family issues and sleeping with the married maintenance guy (played by Ryan Reynolds), who is apparently cool simply because he is a musician.
Drugs, alcohol, groin-punches, sex and general amusement park grossness make up the summer at Adventureland. It is smart. It is funny. It is emotionally touching in all the right ways.
I have now seen this movie twice in the theater. I will probably see it a third time. It is good fun and just makes me happy.
