| ADVENTURELAND |
| Written by Sian Rafferty |
| Tuesday, 21 July 2009 11:23 |
 Over the last year or so, the world has seen the rise of a new form of soul mate. I am talking about a certain collection of mainstream comedic movies involving any combination of the following: Seth Rogen, Micheal Cera, Paul Rudd and the maestro of the whole movement, Mr. Judd Apatow himself. Not only have they managed to make the slacker-nerdy-stoned guy a leading man, but they have almost single-handedly orchestrated the bromance. A bromance is a relationship between two straight guys who realise (towards the end of the movie), that they don't need chicks when all they really want to say is... "I Love You, Man." Now call me old-fashioned, but I have never really bought into any of this. Whatever happened to good old; boy-meets-girl romance? 'Adventureland' is a new film directed by one of the guys on Apatow's speed dial, Greg Mottola. His previous work includes a little film called 'Superbad', so naturally I admit I jumped to a few conclusions before entering the cinema. For a minute, I even thought the lead actor Jesse Eisenberg, was Micheal Cera. Yet 'Adventureland' is a totally different vehicle, to the 'Knocked Up'-s and 'Pineapple Express'-es of the past. Set in small-town-U.S.A. in 1987, young James Brennan has just found himself back from college and forced to take the lamest job in town; part-time work at Adventureland. He doesn't even get to be one of the jocks manning the rides, but is stuck at the bottom operating the sideshow games. The ones you pay a dollar for and win a purple gorilla... and a bit of self-satisfaction. Here in the world of Adventureland, James comes of age and is introduced to a whole bunch of new characters, eventually falling head-over-heels for the grungy devil-may-care Em (Kristen Stewart).  The whole story is pretty predictable, yet you can't help but feeling the coolness of the world as you alight from the cinema. Jesse Eisenberg is so incredibly awkward as James. You just want to hug him, as he randomly spouts Shakespeare sonnets and declares himself in love after the first date. Although I must say, Em puts him through a lot and the guy is slightly deluded to keep chasing after her. Kristen Stewart was passable as Em, though in saying that; she has definitely got the whole pouty, "I am so over this"-thing down to an art. For once, it would have been nice to see her playing the happy girl, who pulls her hair out of her face and isn't all ruined and COMPLICATED.  Other characters made the movie more, than just a simple love story. Ryan Reynolds was good as the cavalier rock-star maintenance guy, plus little parts from Bill Hader (the cop in 'Superbad'), as Bobby the tough-talking park manager, were definite crowd-pleasers.  I find that with movies from the eighties, the music is always a huge selling point as all the Duran Duran is weeded out... and only the bands which have been latched onto by the youth of today, are kept in. For instance, the heavy use of Lou Reed not only adds instant credibility with songs like 'Satellite of Love' and 'Pale Blue Eyes', but really sings to the plot and makes you think; 'This is a time I want to live in...' Splashes of The Cure, 'Bowie and Crowded House, completed the picture and added a sparkly, too-cool-for-school feel to the whole movie. The set and photography departments had their work cut out for them. Setting a film in the middle of a theme-park may be tricky, but the audience is left with popcorn and candy-coloured scenes, overflowing with detail and making for some very satisfying viewing. Oh 'Adventureland' has the pot jokes, the staple confused male... and doesn't water down the crude man-jokes. Yet everything is powdered with a sense of the sentiment and sensitivity and proves once again; that there is nothing like a bit of old-fashioned romance to lighten a Monday afternoon.  |
