Adventureland

Summary: A college grad looking to go to Europe in the summer and Columbia for grad school in the fall of '87, finds out that his parents can't support him financially anymore. Thus, he must get a summer job. After earning a B.A. in Comparitive Literature, the only job he is qualified for is at the local theme park where he meets the people who will change his life and inspire him to lose his burdensome virginity. Silliness ensues as the twenty-somethings engage in illicit activities and tumultuous love triangles. However, it all works out in the end when he moves to NYC where he finally loses his virginity to the girl of his dreams.

Blah blah blah...Sounds good, right?

Nope. Not at all.
It was dull, tedious, and indulgent, lacking wit, vitality, and charm.

I would like to say that it wasn't that bad because the acting was flawless, but I would be lying. The only up and coming actors that showed promise were Jesse Eisenberg (playing main character James Brennan) and Matt Bush (playing jerk-off Tommy Frigo). However, their potential was completely overshadowed by the horrible acting of Kristen Stewart (playing Em) and the majority of the cast. Sadly, the normally excellent acting of stars such as Ryan Reynolds (playing a dislikable and creepy maintainance man) and Bill Hader (playing the manager of the theme park) was wasted on shallow, one-dimensional characters that no amount of talent could transform.

That's not good. Truly, I couldn't empathize with, or relate to, any of the characters - a crucial aspect of a film's success.

In addition, the plot itself lacks momentum. Althought the film only related the events of one summer, the pace seemed to drag the storyline out for years. So much time was wasted attempting to develop characters who are innately flat that one could not help but doze and philosophize in his head (NOT GOOD). Regrettably, the director (Greg Motttola of Superbad fame) seems to realize this and seeks to remedy it by pumping the characters full of alcohol and pot in order to create some "interesting" dynamics.

(Yes, the awesome dynamic of drinking/getting high and driving...Mothers get MADD!)

Finally, the love story was truly pathetic. I could not empathize with Em (Stewart), and not just because of the awful acting. Not only does she lead Brennan (Eisenberg) on for the majority of the movie - only deciding she loves him after he decides to date another (naughty) girl - but she carries on an illicit relationship with the married maintainance man (Reynolds). Of course this "tortures" her inside, which she illustrates by frequently touching her hair and biting her lip dramatically. (Vomit.) The scene where Brennan finally confronts her about the affair is anti-climatic and awkward. Mottola seems to want the audience to sympathize with Em instead of Brennan, who she has lied to the entire movie. In addition, Mottola lets Reynold's character "off the hook" so to speak. He never experiences any reprimand for cheating on his wife and taking advantage young girls in the park. In fact, the final scene between Reynolds and Brennan suggests a mutual understanding - "yes, she's a slut, but I love her." Truly, Em is annoying, ridiculous, and needy, yet Brennan still goes running after her to pledge his love in the pouring rain. Of course, only minutes after reuniting in the Big Apple, they have sex. The End.

Wowza.

To conclude, great films leave the audience with a feeling of revelation due to their charm, wit, vitality, and relevance. This film had none of those aspects and only succeeding in putting me to sleep. Without doubt, the best parts of the film were the cinematography and the soundtrack. Other than that...So not worth $7.25.