Adventureland (2009)

Adventureland is a film, written and directed by Greg Mottola (Paul, Superbad) set in the summer of 1987 about a college graduate, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) who has no idea where he is going in life, and so decides to take a job at the local amusement park, Adventureland. Here he meets a whole host of weird and wonderful friends, including a girl called Em Lewin (Kristen Stewart). The film sees James on a path where he will discover who he is and what he wants out of life with some heartache and laughs along the way.

Jesse Eisenberg plays his usual character, a slight geeky, shy and socially inept teenager. I have said this in my reviews in the past that this is not a bad thing, he plays these roles well, why change. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in another role in the future though, will be interesting to see how that would turn out. Jesse and Kristen’s characters are in love/not in love in this film which means a lot of ups and downs for them. I think both actors performed these roles well, even the intense and emotional scenes; they really look like they should be together and make you feel for these characters when everything begins to go wrong and the heartache begins.

One of my favourite comedy actors plays a supporting role in this film, Ryan Reynolds who plays Brad, the good looking older Adventureland handyman with a claim to fame. It was a different role for Ryan in this film as he wasn’t playing his usual cocky, arrogant comical role but instead took on a more serious one of a married man who likes to mess around with the female Adventureland staff. He plays this part surprisingly convincing and proves he is not just a cocky comedy actor but, when called for, is able to perform the more serious, intense roles.

Overall I loved this film; there is something about it that makes you feel good after watching it. Because this film is set in the late 80’s the soundtrack, I found, was brilliant with such songs as Modern Love – David Bowie and my favourite, Rock Me Amadeus – Falco. Every time I listen to this soundtrack it brings a smile to my face, absolutely love it. Even now, as I write this review I have the soundtrack on in the background, so I recommend both this film and soundtrack to anybody who likes a dry comedy, feel good film with a hint of romance, and let’s face it, who doesn’t.    

Written by Oliver Willis 

500 Days of Summer (2009)

500 Days of Summer, directed by Marc Webb, is an offbeat romantic comedy about a young man’s search for true love. Our main character Tom (Joseph Gorden-Levitt) believes in such a thing as true love and when he meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel) he believes he has found the perfect girl. Summer on the other hand has a very different take on love. This film shows Tom’s storey as he spends his 500 days with Summer, and the ups and downs that comes when two people have two very different views when it comes to love.

Joseph Gorden-Levitt (3^rd Rock From The Sun, Inception) plays our main character Tom. Joseph is a young but excellent actor, he plays Tom as a slightly nervous yet charming person who believes in such a thing as true love. I like Joseph and in my opinion he was perfect for this role. What this film needed for this character to work was a good looking, young, funny and generally likable actor, which Joseph delivered perfectly. Joseph is able to play a whole host of roles and this film demanded he do that, from deliriously happy to depressingly sad to intensely frustrated and everything in-between. I could not think of another young actor who could have pulled off such a heart warming performance as Joseph did.

Now is it any wonder Tom falls in love with Summer, I mean who would fall for Zooey Deschanel (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Happening). Zooey plays the part of Summer, a alternative, qwerky, free spirit who has a very different view of love. I think Zooey is absolutely brilliant, she plays these kinds of roles, the innocent free spirit, in a few films and it just fits so wonderfully. Her and Joseph make a very convincing young couple and really get you believing in the love that is so obviously shared between them. I think Zooey is an excellent actress and particularly good at playing this type of role.

Now I’m not usually one for romantic comedies but I have to say this one stuck with me. The film is so wonderfully put together, so alternative from any other in its genre and the soundtrack is exactly what you need to listen to on a sunny summer’s day. For any readers thinking they don’t like rom-coms I have to agree with you, but this film is no typical rom-com. I found it to be a brilliant watch and have since seen it three or four times and still love it. I would recommend this film to anyone who likes a laugh and an oddly alternative feel good film. The important thing to remember is this is not a love story; it’s a story about love.

Written by Oliver Willis