Adventureland

2009

Adventureland

Critics Consensus

Full of humor and nostalgia, Adventureland is a sweet, insightful coming-of-age comedy that will resonate with teens and adults alike.

88%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 216

61%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 252,877
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Movie Info

Inspired by writer/director Greg Mottola's own true-life job-from-hell experience, Adventureland stars The Education of Charlie Banks' Jesse Eisenberg as an uptight recent college graduate who discovers that he'll have to get a degrading minimum-wage job at a local amusement park instead of spending his summer drinking German beer, visiting world-class museums, and flirting with cute French girls. It's the summer of 1987, and James Brennan (Eisenberg) has just graduated from college. James is all set to embark on his dream tour of Europe when his parents (Wendie Malick and Jack Gilpin) suddenly announce that they won't be able to subsidize the trip. Now the only things James has to look forward to this summer are sugar-fueled children, belligerent dads, and an endless parade of giant stuffed animals. When James strikes up a relationship with captivating co-worker Em (Kristen Stewart), however, he finally starts to loosen up. Suddenly, the worst summer ever doesn't seem quite so bad. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
  • Rating:
    R (for language, drug use and sexual references)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Greg Mottola
  • Written By:
    Greg Mottola
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $15,900,000
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Miramax Films

Cast

Jesse Eisenberg
as James Brennan
Kristen Stewart
as Em Lewin
Sue O'Malley
Martin Starr
as Joel Schiffman
Bill Hader
as Bobby
Ryan Reynolds
as Mike Connell
Margarita Levieva
as Lisa P.
Kristen Wiig
as Paulette
Kelsey Ford
as Arlene
Josh Pais
as Mr. Lewin
Michael Zegen
as Eric
Jack Gilpin
as Mr. Brennan
Mary Birdsong
as Francy
Matt Bush
as Tommy Frigo
Ryan McFarland
as Brad
Paige Howard
as Sue O'Malley
Dan Bittner
as Pete O'Malley
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Critic Reviews for Adventureland

All Critics (216) | Top Critics (52) | Fresh (191) | Rotten (25)

  • Adventureland is reminiscent of indie movies like Breaking Away, Dazed and Confused and Clerks. You could put it another way and say it's not very original. Yet, watching the movie, you're too swept up in James's problems to care.

    September 11, 2009 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic

  • As a sweet-natured character comedy - and a subtle exercise in generic boundary-pushing - this is a real charmer.

    September 11, 2009 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Tom Huddleston

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The whole enterprise is infused with a quality of feeling, an integrity, that is rare in such a commercial film.

    September 11, 2009 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

    Toby Young

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • A tremendously funny and touching coming-of-age story, which he has set in the 1980s with a sprinkling of nicely chosen cultural references.

    September 11, 2009 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • Like all films that strike a chord, you'll find yourself replaying your own memories as the credits roll on a comedy that fires the heart.

    September 11, 2009 | Rating: 4/5

    Dan Brightmore

    Little White Lies
    Top Critic

  • The story is semi-autobiographical, but has a gentler touch than his prior work on Superbad, and certainly relies less on slapstick episodes.

    April 6, 2009 | Full Review…

    David Denby

    New Yorker
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (216)

Audience Reviews for Adventureland

  • Jul 02, 2016
    Just misses being special. Nonetheless,should appeal to movie goers who don't mind their main character being nerdy dweebs trying to land their first love. For viewers over the age of 35, the film might feel like a ride into memory lane.
    Aldo G Super Reviewer
  • Aug 08, 2014
    The indie comedy Adventureland is a satirical coming-of-age film from writer/director Greg Mottola. The story follows a young college student named James Brennan who takes a job at an amusement park during the summer of 1987 in order to pay for his tuition. Featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, and Margarita Levieva, the cast is fairly strong and delivers some pretty good performances. The writing however, is a little weak and seems a bit unfocused, unsure of what it's trying to say. On the other hand, the soundtrack is remarkably effective at setting a tone and at providing a feel for the characters and settings. Adventureland has some interesting things to say about postmodern youth culture, but it has trouble bringing everything together in a cohesive manner.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 29, 2013
    A beautiful, well-written and well-filmed comedy that features impressive performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart. Between the intimate cinematography to the wonderful soundtrack, Adventureland is a triumph, and a thoroughly enjoyable, honest treat.
    Matthew Samuel M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 01, 2013
    A beautiful little movie about growing up and finding your first true love. I know, aren't there about a kazillion movies about this subject. Yes there are. This one stands a little bit above the crowd.
    Lanning : Super Reviewer
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