Apr 9, 2009

Adventureland



This lovely comedy by Greg Mottola (Superbad) is one of the smarter, less scatological current films about males coming of age. It has a sensitive, wistful quality, complicated characters and a biting, bittersweet sense of humor. If it has a formulaic structure, it doesn't show it. It meanders along, more interested in character than in plot, which is so very refreshing. It is beautifully observed.
It's also an interesting portrayal of class angst, of thwarted expectations. I love the setting of the amusement park where people go to have mindless fun, and all the carnies who work there are just miserable misfits. These poor overqualified eggheads, working in a place full of dummies. That's America for you, a huge amusement park that craves entertainment, and is derisive of intellect.
Adventureland made me feel nostalgic for my hormone-riddled youth. Set in the eighties, it makes one wonder what were we thinking ("Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus"... ).

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