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Adventureland Movie Review Summary

Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Martin Starr, Bill Hader

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Adventureland


James just finished college, and to earn money for grad school in the summer, he works at a theme park, Adventureland. There he meets an assortment of employees, the sexy Lisa, the older cool married handyman Mike, and Em, the mysterious girl James falls for. Em and James hit it off instantly. James isn't experienced with girls and shares a first kiss with Em. James confides his intense feelings for Em to Mike, who apparently is cheating on his wife with Em. Em, finding things to be complicated, tells James that it might not work out for them. Disappointed, he goes out with Lisa. Meanwhile, Em, realizes her feelings for James, and James vice versa. So Em ends it with Mike. But it's too late, since James finds out about them and feels betrayed. Em quits and goes home to New York. By this time James has saved enough money. He postpones grad school and chases Em in New York and they make-up.
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Best part of story, including ending: It's a heartfelt story of summer love, and the unlikely relationships you form with other people.

Best scene in story: When James sees Em leaving Mike's house and finds out the truth.

Opinion about the main character: James is an idealist and you understand why a much more worldly Em can easily break his heart.

The review of this Movie prepared by Tina Medina a Level 30 Banded Kingfisher scholar

A coming of age comedy following college graduate James Brennan (Eisenberg) over his summer as an amusement park employee in 1987. He spends his days with his new coworkers and friends, and takes a liking to the quirky games operator Emily "Em" Lewin (Stewart). The two gradually become friends, but when James confesses his feelings to Em, she is reluctant due to the complications in her life.
We also meet Connell (Reynolds) a charismatic maintenance man with the demeanor of a rock star. He gives advice on girls to the inexperienced James, but we learn that his intentions aren't always noble.
Hurt by the apparent rejection, James goes out with another girl, but despite having a good time, he can't forget about Em. Following her character, it's revealed that Em has been having an affair with the married Connell. When James tells her about his date, she acknowledges her feelings for him and decides to end it with Connell. Unfortunate timing leads to James finding out about Em and Connell, and soon all the park employees know.
Em leaves her job and moves to New York. James, heartbroken, decides that in spite of everything he loves Em, and decides to follow her to New York, where he will try to win her back.
Best part of story, including ending: I liked the story because it was relatable, everyone has had a lousy job like James, but it's mostly the people you meet that make it worthwhile. I felt the Connell character could have been more interesting if he was developed more. The ending was very sappy and didn't really match the tone of the film.

Best scene in story: The film is at its funniest whenever Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig are onscreen, particularly the scene involving a hostile client. Hader's character is simultaneously hilarious and scary.

Opinion about the main character: It seems a bit unlikely a guy like James would be this inexperienced around girls, but I did like that we can see the feelings of vulnerability you have when you're falling in love.

The review of this Movie prepared by Vlad Codirla a Level 5 American Goldfinch scholar

Script Analysis of Adventureland

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of movie:    -   1980's-1999 Kids growing up/acting up?    -   Yes Age group    -   trouble in college Sexing?    -   girl chasing

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   student Age:    -   a teen    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White American

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Northeast Misc setting    -   bar

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   no torture/death Sex/nudity in movie?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   kissing    -   touching of personal anatomy Any profanity?    -   Occasional swearing

Movies with storylines, themes & endings like Adventureland

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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