Spring Break
'Adventure' has many highs and lows
by Daniel Baron
Staff Writer
Arts | 3/24/09
Posted online at 10:46 PM EST on 3/23/09
/ Last updated at 1:41 AM EST on 3/23/09
Adventureland could have been a good, fluid movie. Instead, it was an odd mixture of "eh" and "awwww," "yawn" and "haha" moments, leaving me in a love-hate relationship with the film. At times the film was reminiscent of an Adam Sandler movie, while other parts made me think of the Independent Film Channel. This is a fine combination, but only if the two moods are consistently balanced and if each scene is really crafted to its fullest potential.
It seemed like the writers were afraid that if one scene was too serious it would take away from the humor and that if one scene was too funny, it would take away from the depth. However, every 20 or 30 minutes, an excellent sequence took place. I couldn't decide whether I liked or disliked this disjointed quality, which was more inconsistent than anything I've seen before.
Adventureland is about a college graduate, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) who is ready to trek across Europe with money that he has saved for years and a little financial help from his parents, only to have his plans blocked due to the harsh economic realities of the 1980s (read: Reagan). After learning that his father has been demoted, Brennan also finds that he must cancel his trip to Europe and get a job. The introduction to James' unfortunate situation was boring and included a few unsuccessful attempts at comedy. I know of a few people who would walk out after such a weak beginning, which is too bad because the movie only gets stronger as it progresses.
What follows, as those of you who've seen the commercials already know, is that James lands a job at a local amusement park. While there, a series of unpredictable events unfolds, most of which involve the relationship that, out of nowhere, forms between fellow games attendant Em Lewin (played by Twilight's Kristen Stewart) and our nerdy protagonist.
I'll disclose right now that I've had a crush on Stewart from the instant I saw her portray Bella Swan (hey, I'll watch anything with a vampire in it, from Blade to Buffy), so the positive aspect of my mixed reaction to the movie is, admittedly, biased: I give Adventureland a solid B, but if it weren't for the presence of my wanna-be-girlfriend, I'd lower that grade to a B- or even a C+. It's the kind of movie that I don't regret seeing, but at the same time, it's nothing to go out of your way to catch. It's fair, good and even great at points, dull at others, decent in general.
The subject matter is definitely relevant, as the film takes place during an economic mess in which college students are frantically looking for work. And I like that it is set in another era similar to ours, as opposed to being set today; it allowed for a great soundtrack and some goofy outfits. After writing this review, I'll continue my own job search, asking around, making phone calls, emailing my résumé and (knock on wood) eventually filling an opening for a respectable position. Until then, I'll keep moseying through life, maybe get a crappy summer job, hoping to one day randomly stumble into Kristen Stewart.
It seemed like the writers were afraid that if one scene was too serious it would take away from the humor and that if one scene was too funny, it would take away from the depth. However, every 20 or 30 minutes, an excellent sequence took place. I couldn't decide whether I liked or disliked this disjointed quality, which was more inconsistent than anything I've seen before.
Adventureland is about a college graduate, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) who is ready to trek across Europe with money that he has saved for years and a little financial help from his parents, only to have his plans blocked due to the harsh economic realities of the 1980s (read: Reagan). After learning that his father has been demoted, Brennan also finds that he must cancel his trip to Europe and get a job. The introduction to James' unfortunate situation was boring and included a few unsuccessful attempts at comedy. I know of a few people who would walk out after such a weak beginning, which is too bad because the movie only gets stronger as it progresses.
What follows, as those of you who've seen the commercials already know, is that James lands a job at a local amusement park. While there, a series of unpredictable events unfolds, most of which involve the relationship that, out of nowhere, forms between fellow games attendant Em Lewin (played by Twilight's Kristen Stewart) and our nerdy protagonist.
I'll disclose right now that I've had a crush on Stewart from the instant I saw her portray Bella Swan (hey, I'll watch anything with a vampire in it, from Blade to Buffy), so the positive aspect of my mixed reaction to the movie is, admittedly, biased: I give Adventureland a solid B, but if it weren't for the presence of my wanna-be-girlfriend, I'd lower that grade to a B- or even a C+. It's the kind of movie that I don't regret seeing, but at the same time, it's nothing to go out of your way to catch. It's fair, good and even great at points, dull at others, decent in general.
The subject matter is definitely relevant, as the film takes place during an economic mess in which college students are frantically looking for work. And I like that it is set in another era similar to ours, as opposed to being set today; it allowed for a great soundtrack and some goofy outfits. After writing this review, I'll continue my own job search, asking around, making phone calls, emailing my résumé and (knock on wood) eventually filling an opening for a respectable position. Until then, I'll keep moseying through life, maybe get a crappy summer job, hoping to one day randomly stumble into Kristen Stewart.
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