Adventureland

"Adventureland" is more about that adage "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans". James (Jesse Eisenberg) just graduated from college, with grad school waiting for him in the fall, and finds that his planned summer trip to Europe is out the window as his parents suffer financial losses. So James ends up working at an amusement park, Adventureland, begrudgingly during the summer of 1987.

The film works as a slice-of-life look at young adults coming of age as forces beyond their control details their plans, but in the process, they find something much more richer, as the summer unfolds with experiences that enbolden friendship, love, betrayal, rumor mill fodder, and acceptance in light of personal faults and foibles.

No, this film isn't on a laugh-a-minute pace, but rather the humor tends to develop organically through character interaction, but there is a fair share of funny bits at the expense of the character's dignity at times that feels like real life experiences.

While Eisenberg's James comes across a bit like a Michael Cera-ish character, I think he is less socially awkward, but sincere and thoughtful (as he has budding journalistic aspirations). Kristen Stewart plays "Em" (Emily), who has her own backstory that doesn't hinder the storyline, but adds to developing her character in a way that brings enough conflict to her budding relationship with James and doesn't reduce her to simply the romantic interest. There are also solid supporting roles in the film that lends itself to provide a backdrop for the drama and humorous bits to flow throughout James' summer at "Adventureland".

I give it 3 stars, or a grade of B.