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Adventureland (2009)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Greg Mottola (written by)
Release Date:
3 April 2009 (USA)
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Tagline:
It was the worst job they ever imagined... and the best time of their lives. more
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. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Summer
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Amusement Park
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1987
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Summer Job
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New York City
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Awards:
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
(947 articles)
Nikki Reed Interviewed on Alex Chung
(From ShockYa. 28 November 2009, 11:00 PM, PST)
Watch Ashley Greene on Good Day La
(From ShockYa. 28 November 2009, 7:19 AM, PST)
(From ShockYa. 28 November 2009, 11:00 PM, PST)
Watch Ashley Greene on Good Day La
(From ShockYa. 28 November 2009, 7:19 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Roller-coaster of Love
more (134 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for language, drug use and sexual references.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
Argentina:107 min | USA:107 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The character Em nervously touches/fixes her hair 55 times throughout the course of the movie.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When James is calling the horse race for the second time, when the camera shows the horses the purple horse is in the race but when the camera closes up on James, the purple horse is still in the home/stationary position, but when the camera shows the horses returning to the home position the purple is moving back again.
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Soundtrack:
Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely
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FAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersIs "Adventureland" based on a book?
Was this movie filmed at Adventureland in New York?
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more (134 total)
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"Adventureland"- ***1/2 BY: Kevin Muller The marketing for this film is terrible, just absolutely awful. The studio is pushing this film as the next "Superbad", just because the director of that film directed this gem. The truth is, this is far different than "Superbad", besides a few gross out gags. Where that film prided itself on its crudeness and vulgarity, this film prides itself on heart and pure emotion.
"Adventureland" has the feel of teen movies both from the 80's and 90's (more the 80's though). You have a sensitive character who is still trying to figure out who he is, and by a sequence of events, falls in love and more importantly, finds his true self. What makes the movie even more appealing is that it not only doesn't treat its characters as generic stereotypes, but as humans, which makes them more appealing to the audience.
Our main character here is James (played perfectly by Jessie Eisenberg) who has just graduated college and is looking forward to his trip to Europe with his fellow pal. The trip is not only supposed to be his graduation present, but also a way to escape his recent heartbreak, due to an emotional breakup. Things unfortunately go south with his finances, which forces him to get a job at the local amusement park. There he meets some interesting people: the two owners (Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig), nerdy Joel (the likable Martin Starr) and the beautiful "Em" (Kristen Stewert).
James and Em quickly fall for each other, but there is one small problem, she is in a very dysfunctional relationship with Connell (Ryan Reynolds), who plays the married park maintenance guy. Reynolds, who usually adds the goofy humor to every film he is in, holds back to really give the character a deepness that I was surprised he pulled off. I thought his performance was going to be similar to his Monty character from "Waiting". I applaud the restraint that he held throughout the film, because the character could have gone down that route very easily.
What makes this film work though is that director Greg Mottola doesn't overdo any aspect of the movie. The comedy, drama, and situations are all well balanced, which makes the film feel real. As I stated before, Reynolds is grounded, as is the rest of the cast with their performances. Eisenberg, who is accused of playing Michael Cera, gives a very layered and human performance. I am sorry to you Cera fans, but the awkward and caring guy thing was around way before Cera did it. Stewert, is just perfect in this role, she gives Em vulnerability, but makes her lovable at the same time. These two give perfect performances because neither of them have all the answers and it is about the deep connection they share, not just about the sex.
Go see this film, it deserves to be seen. This is a movie that Hollywood doesn't make anymore; a sweet, smart, moving and humorous experience that hopefully starts a chain of movies like it to follow.