Adventureland

2009, 107 minutes
Dir. Greg Mottola
Rating: [M]
Genres: Comedy, Drama / Independent, Youth

Topics: Period 1980s.

Feat. Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Martin Starr

Aroview: Low-key indie comedy set in 1987 where a virginal high-school grad gets a summer job at a local amusement park and finds unlikely romantic prospects in a worldly, cynical co-worker.

Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart play their archetypes to a fault, and this will appeal to their respective and mutual fanbases, but there are few details to distinguish this as anything more than just another indie-geek romcom. Writer-director Mottola indulges his spotty 1980's adolescence replete with dubious fashion and hip period song choices, and though fans of his commerical hit SUPERBAD may find this comparably and refreshingly 'subtle', others may do better to check out his early indie gem, THE DAYTRIPPERS.

NZ International Film Festival 2009