Adventureland (2009) [Movie Review]

Adventureland features many actors and actresses that are widely considered to be bad at acting. Mainly I am looking at Ryan Reynolds, who plays Mike Connell in this film, and Kristen Stewart, who plays Emily Lewin; ironically they have "thing" together. The two get a lot of undeserved flack, and are both on my list of favorites. But enough of that, let's talk about the movie.

After his parents stop financing him, James (Jessie Eisenberg) must get a job to pay for his schooling the following year. Unfortunately, no place will hire him. None except Adventureland, a carnival that pays shit, but hey, it's money. There, he meets an amazing girl, Em (Kristen Stewart), who has some things going on in her life, but James wants to, uhh, get to know her.

I was not expecting to like this movie. Why watch it then? Honestly, I would have passed this film up if it had not been for Stewart. I didn't even know Reynolds was in it! But after the opening credits rolled, I was ready for his role, even if it was exactly like his role in Ted. The comedy in this film is definitely not the comedy I was expecting. I was expecting the constant penis jokes that seem to be the only kind of comedy that makes money these days. Pleasantly surprised, I was, by the amount of sophisticated humor involved in this film. The minimal amount of child's humor is acceptable.

All in all, this movie wasn't perfect, but it was definitely a surprise. I would recommend to any fans of comedic films.

Rating: 8/10

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Discussion topic: The double standard of women always being the ones in the wrong is brought up in this film. How do you feel about these double standards?