top-image

Adventureland

Adventureland

COMEDY / ITUNES
  • Rated R
Directed by Greg Mottola
Written by Greg Mottola

Cast

Jesse Eisenberg [James Brennan]
Kristen Stewart [Em]
Ryan Reynolds [Connell]
Bill Hader [Bobby]
Kristen Wiig [Paulette]
Martin Starr [Joel]
Margarita Levieva [Lisa P.]
Matt Bush [Frigo]
Wendie Malick [Mrs. Brennan]
Jack Gilpin [Mr. Brennan]
Josh Pais [Mr. Lewin]
Mary Birdsong [Francy]
Kevin Breznahan [Molly Hatchet]

Genres

What happens?

It's the summer of 1987, and James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg), an uptight recent college grad, can't wait to embark on his dream tour of Europe. But when his parents (Wendie Malick and Jack Gilpin) announce they can no longer subsidize his trip, James has little choice but to take a lowly job at a local amusement park. Forget about German beer, world-famous museums and cute French girls -- James' summer will now be populated by belligerent dads, stuffed pandas, and screaming kids high on cotton candy. Lucky for James, what should have been his worst summer ever turns into quite an adventure as he discovers love in the most unlikely place with his captivating co-worker Em (Kristen Stewart), and learns to loosen up.

The film stars Jesse Eisenberg (THE SQUID AND THE WHALE), Kristen Stewart (TWILIGHT, INTO THE WILD), Ryan Reynolds (JUST FRIENDS, VAN WILDER), Martin Starr (KNOCKED UP, SUPERBAD), and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE cast members Kristen Wiig (KNOCKED UP) and Bill Hader (SUPERBAD, TROPIC THUNDER).

Greg Mottola, fresh off the hit film SUPERBAD, is directing his script drawn from his own job-from-hell experience. Ted Hope and Anne Carey of This is That corporation (THE SAVAGES, NOTHING IS PRIVATE) are producing, along with Sidney Kimmel of Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. Executive producers are William Horberg and Bruce Toll.

The creative team includes director of photography Terry Stacey (THE NANNY DIAIRES, DEXTER), production designer Stephen Beatrice (THEN SHE FOUND ME, SHERRYBABY), costume designer Melissa Toth (NO RESERVATIONS, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND), and editor Anne McCabe (MARIA FULL OF GRACE, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME).

In depth

An Adventureland of the Heart

An Adventureland of the Heart

By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
Excerpt
April 3, 2009

As "Adventureland" opens, viewers may be tempted to think they know what they're in for: another coming-of-age romance, in this case with the added nostalgic twist of being set in the 1980s. But quickly it becomes clea... more