Adventureland (2009)

Director: Greg Mottola

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg as James Brennan, Kelsey Ford as Arlene, Michael Zegen as Eric, Ryan McFarland as Brad, Jack Gilpin as Mr. Brennan, Wendie Malick as Mrs. Brennan, Matt Bush as Tommy Frigo, Todd Cioppa as Velvet Touch Manager, Stephen Mast as Rich, Kristen Wiig as Paulette, Bill Hader as Bobby, Martin Starr as Joel, Adam Kroloff as Adult Contestant, Kristen Stewart as Em Lewin, Kevin Breznahan as Molly Hatchet T-Shirt Guy

While watching this movie, it wasn't clear if this was supposed to be a
comedy or a drama, so it's difficult to put this into a category. It
was funny and sad, so I'd classify it as a comedy/drama.

The movie takes place in the 1980's and the main character is forced to
take a job a Pittsburgh area amusement park called "Adventureland" so
he can save enough money to attend graduate school. While his parents
feel the job is beneath his college degree qualifications, it's the
only job he can find so he takes it, and ends up working the game show
booths. While working there, he meets Kristen Stewart, and they develop
a romantic relationship, which takes up a large chunk of the movie.
Kristen, incidentally, seems to be playing the same exact character she
played in "Twilight", wounded and needy.

Based on the trailers, I was expecting something along the lines of
"Superbad" but the movie was a lot closer to "Dazed & Confused", a well
written period piece of the 1970's. The comedy aspect of the movie was
in the interactions with his friends, parents, co-workers, and
supervisors. There weren't a lot of LOL moments, but the humor is more
in identifying with the characters and their lives.

I enjoyed the movie and anyone living or growing up during the 1980's
will appreciate the mood & music of the film.