Adventureland 2009

As the warm summer of 1987 settles over Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) is on the cusp of a new chapter in life, having recently graduated with a degree in literature from Oberlin College. A forthcoming trip to Europe and a spot at Columbia University are just around the corner, but a crushing blow awaits when his parents (Wendie Malick and Jack Gilpin) reveal they’ll no longer be able to provide financial support. Desperate for summer employment, James reluctantly takes up a position at Adventureland, the local amusement park where his childhood friend Frigo (Matt Bush), a force to be reckoned with in terms of unprovoked testicular assaults, holds court.

James’s new boss, Bobby, assigns him to the games area, where he encounters an eclectic cast of characters, including the dry-witted Joel and Paulette, the no-nonsense manager of Adventureland. Among his coworkers is Sue O’Malley, Mark, Lisa P., and Mike Connell (Ryan Reynolds), a part-time musician with a penchant for name-dropping and claims of having jammed with Lou Reed.

James’s life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Emily “Em” Lewin (Kristen Stewart), a fellow games worker who saves him from a potentially dire situation involving a disgruntled customer. As they grow closer, Em invites James to join her for a party at her house, where the atmosphere is relaxed and the conversation flows easily. It’s during this gathering that James learns of Em’s complicated relationship with Connell, though he’s unaware that their affair has been going on behind closed doors.

As James and Em continue to grow closer, they find themselves drawn to each other, sharing a romantic moment by one of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, beneath the majestic span of one of the city’s iconic bridges. But when James confides his strong feelings for Em in Connell, the musician reports back to her, leading Em to caution James that she wants to take things slowly. As the summer sun beats down on the Steel City, James finds himself navigating a tangled web of emotions and relationships, unsure of what the future holds or where he’ll ultimately land.

The following day, Lisa P. (brazenly) extends an invitation to James for a night out on the town, but maintains a veil of secrecy around the affair, only confiding in a select few. Upon his return from the date, James is regaled with news from Em that she now regrets her earlier decision to rebuff his affections during their initial encounter. In a bid to lift her spirits, James bestows upon Em some of his prized marijuana, tasking her to bake pot-infused cookies as a means of consoling herself. As the evening wears on, Joel’s fortunes take a drastic turn for the worse when he becomes the target of a furious customer who has discovered that the games being played are rigged. Enter Em, whose timely intervention proves insufficient in stemming the tide of aggression, and James is forced to defend her honor by unleashing a decisive blow upon his assailant’s vulnerable region. The aggressor’s companion soon takes up the chase, prompting James to seek refuge in Bobby’s office, where he is ultimately saved from harm’s way by Bobby’s formidable display with a baseball bat. Em subsequently confides in James that she fears losing him forever.

Meanwhile, Joel has reached his breaking point and decides to throw in the towel, fueled by his anger over James’ budding relationship with Lisa P., which he perceives as a betrayal of their deep-seated feelings for one another. In an effort to clear the air, James confesses his night out on the town to Em, whose initial shock and subsequent tongue-tiedness precipitate a profound sense of disillusionment. The confrontation culminates in Em’s decision to sever ties with Connell, prompting her hasty departure from his residence.

As James confronts Em about her newfound freedom, he is met with an unsettling silence that only serves to deepen the chasm between them. His ire heightened by perceived betrayal, James makes a hasty exit, leaving Em to ponder the gravity of her actions. In the aftermath, James turns to Lisa P., sharing his tale of woe and beseeching her not to breathe a word to anyone. Unbeknownst to him, however, Lisa P. is already privy to the details, having shared them with her confidante Kelly. It is only a matter of time before the news spreads like wildfire throughout the park, precipitating Em’s ultimate decision to abandon ship.

In the wake of this chaos, James finds himself drowning in despair, his nocturnal escapade culminating in a disastrous collision between his father’s vehicle and a stationary tree trunk. The next morning, his mother awakens him to a sobering reality: he must face the music and cover the costs of repairs. As James stumbles through the aftermath, Connell reveals that he has not set eyes on Em since her abrupt departure from their relationship.

As financial constraints threaten to derail his aspirations, James makes a bold decision to defy convention and head to New York City, where the allure of possibility beckons. Upon arriving in the concrete jungle, he finds himself outside the apartment door of Em, his enigmatic muse. Her surprise at seeing him is palpable, tempered by a lingering sense of regret, as if she fears that their tumultuous past has irreparably damaged their connection. James, undeterred by her initial hesitation, shares with her an unconventional perspective - one that sees beyond the surface-level façade to the authentic individual she truly is: the guardian angel who intervened on his behalf during a knife-wielding altercation, the unyielding advocate for Joel’s rights, the pioneer who introduced him to the liberated realm of psychotropic cookies, and the untamed spirit who refuses to apologize for her very essence. This impassioned declaration resonates deeply with Em, whose defenses slowly crumble as James’ words paint a vivid portrait of the resilient, multi-faceted individual she has become. Inviting James into her apartment, Em ushers him into a realm of intimacy and vulnerability.

As they ascend to her cozy abode, James sheds his sodden attire, revealing a more vulnerable self beneath. His eyes alight upon the familiar logo of Adventureland emblazoned on her shirt - a poignant reminder of their shared experiences and the unspoken understanding that binds them. The air is electric with tension as their lips meet in a tender, yet ardent kiss. As they shed their remaining garments, the camera lingers, capturing the tender moment as James’ innocence is irreparably altered by Em’s loving touch. With this final act of surrender, James embarks on a new chapter in his journey, one that promises to be marked by passion, discovery, and an unwavering commitment to embracing the complexities of human experience.