Adventureland (2009)

Director:

Greg Mottola

Writer (WGA):

Greg Mottola (written by)

Release Date:

3 April 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

It was the worst job they ever imagined... and the best time of their lives.

Plot:

A comedy set in the summer of 1987 and centered around a recent college grad (Eisenberg) who takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park, only to find it's the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.

Plot Keywords:

Summer | Amusement Park | 1987 | Summer Job | New York City

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Jesse Eisenberg	...	James Brennan
Kelsey Ford	...	Arlene
Michael Zegen	...	Eric
Ryan McFarland	...	Brad
Jack Gilpin	...	Mr. Brennan
Wendie Malick	...	Mrs. Brennan
Matt Bush	...	Tommy Frigo
Todd Cioppa	...	Velvet Touch Manager
Stephen Mast	...	Rich
Kristen Wiig	...	Paulette
Bill Hader	...	Bobby
Martin Starr	...	Joel
Adam Kroloff	...	Adult Contestant
Kristen Stewart	...	Em Lewin
Kevin Breznahan	...	Molly Hatchet T-Shirt Guy

Also Known As:

Adventureland (Hungary) [hu]
Adventureland (Italy) [it]
Adventureland - Job d'été à éviter (France) [fr]
Adventureland - Un verano memorable (Argentina) (festival title) [es]
Adventureland - pöörane suvi (Estonia) [et]
Férias Frustradas de Verão (Brazil) [pt]
Zoi... san luna park (Greece) (DVD title) [el]

MPAA:

Rated R for language, drug use and sexual references.

Runtime:

Argentina:107 min | USA:107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #39360) | Argentina:16 | UK:15 | Ireland:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | New Zealand:M | Iceland:12 | Philippines:R-18 | Singapore:M18 (cut) | Australia:M | South Korea:15 | Ireland:15 (video rating) | Finland:K-11

Filming Locations:

Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment

Trivia:

During Em and James' first ride together in Em's car, they pass the nighttime-illuminated sign of Monroeville Mall, the location from Romero's Dawn of the Dead (1978).

Goofs:

Factual errors: Joel asserts that the famous aphorism "Fortune favors the bold" was written by the Roman poet Virgil (70-19 BC), but in fact, it was written by the Roman playwright Terence (185-159 BC) in his play Phormio. The phrase is often associated with Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid, appearing in book 10 line 284, in a slightly different form. The overeducated Joel should know better.

Quotes:

James Brennan: Satin lives.

Movie Connections:

References Donkey Kong (1981) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Down to Rio

I Love the '80s

And I loved this movie.

I grew up in the '80s, and have always had a fondness for the decade. So much so that I've always thought that if I ever manage to write a screenplay, it will probably be set in that era. Until today, I hadn't seen a movie set in the '80s that I really loved, unless it was made back then. I learned to love movies in the '80s, and this one felt like it could easily have been made back then. It isn't like other '80s retro films that hit you over the head with winks and nods to the quirks of that era. You won't see anyone trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while doing the moonwalk in a pair of parachute pants and saying "totally rad."

You also won't see a Superbad retread (people have complained that the ads are misleading). There's lots of great laughs, but it comes mostly from subtle situational moments, not in-your-face punchline dialog. This is a character driven movie, and Jesse Eisenberg really shines in a very likable performance as the geekish underdog out to win the heart of the cool and beautiful but angst-ridden Kristen Stewart.

Most of the performances are wonderful, but the writing is what truly makes this movie great. Some of the most memorable moments involve the dark side of amusement parks. The real Adventureland park, where writer/director Motolla once worked, can't be too happy with this film. I imagine they might want to sue, if only that wouldn't bring even more news and attention to the shenanigans that occur there. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but "shenanigans" is putting it kindly.

The '80s was the decade where coming-of-age dramedies blossomed with great soundtracks, and Adventureland pays off in that regard as well.

Motolla himself has warned: "I hope people who grew up in the '80s don't assume it's not for them." Those who are expecting another raunchy teen romp like Superbad may be disappointed. These "kids" are probably old enough to drink legally, though that doesn't appear to be their drug of choice. This movie has more in common with Almost Famous and Outside Providence than it does with Superbad, and not just because it's semi-autobiographical. Though the humor isn't quite as prevalent as it is in Superbad, I found the laughter that it did evoke to be far more satisfying.