Eighties nostalgia, young love, and the horrors of summer jobs describe the cinematic ride, Adventureland.

Although written and directed by Greg Mottola, best known for the comedic hit Superbad (2007), this film can only be loosely called a comedy. (And if you are expecting a laugh-filled movie experience like his last film, then Adventureland is not for you.) Instead, Mottola delivers a coming of age story set in Pittsburgh in the 1980s.

Adventureland is the story of college graduate, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) who has big plans to move to New York City and attend Columbia University’s graduate school. He wants to become a travel essayist and thinks a master’s degree in journalism will help him because the field is “still an old boys’ network.”

However, James’s big plans and lifelong dreams fall flat when he finds out that his parents are broke. Not only is his college graduation gift of traveling through Europe with his buddy cancelled, but his parents also tell him he needs to get a summer job to save money.

After rounds of applications to every menial and entry-level job in town, Brennan finds he isn’t qualified for anything, except a “games” job at the local amusement park, “Adventureland.” So, tucking his highly educated tail between his legs, he attempts to make the best of the situation.

James soon finds there are some upsides to his rather brainless job. He develops friendships with people who are crazier and more socially awkward than he is. In fact, in some of his summer circles, James becomes the “almost-cool kid.” He also meets a girl, Em (Kristen Stewart) who is the sad, often depressed, and girl-next-door plain. Yet, she is sexy enough to tug at his heart strings. (And if you are wondering who is Kristen Stewart, you must not have seen the latest vampire film sensation, Twilight. She is the young actress who starred in this movie and has become a major success.)

And, perhaps one of the best parts of the summer for James Brennan is his weed stash - thanks to his friend who is off in Europe. He had enough weed to make the whole summer bearable and even dim it’s memory. (And having a couple of blunts may have nabbed him a couple of friends and the interest of a hot chick.)

Adventureland is a rather predictable love story with characters that most people can relate to. Almost everyone has experienced a crappy summer job. And most of us, remember the struggles, awkwardness and pain of falling in love for the very first time.

“So, you are a virgin,” said sexually experienced Em on one of their impromptu dates. To which James said, “There were circumstances.”

The relationship between James and Em is realistic, endearing and at times even uncomfortable. The two cover a lot of ground in the movie – from sexual experiences to coping with grief to their hopes and dreams.

This script came rather easy to writer and director Mottola because it is partly autobiographical. He used his own summer job at an amusement park in New York’s Long Island in the 1980’s as the basis for Adventureland.

“I decided this is going to be a personal film and, for better or worse, base it on my recollection,” said Mottola in a recent interview. “Perhaps it is indulgent, but I wanted to draw on my own memories of the time and place. It’s just fun. I could use the music I loved and dress [the cast] in those crazy costumes and stuff like that; but I didn’t want it to be a big ‘kitch’-fest.”

And the blast-from-the-past music was notably one of the best aspects of the movie. Just when the plot slowed down or a laugh was needed, Falco’s 1986 Billboard hit “Rock Me Amadeus” came on to lighten the mood – and hell, just to make you feel good. And to punctuate the tragic nature of young love and stupid decisions, The Velvet Underground’s 1969 “Pale Blue Eyes” song with the lyrics: “Sometimes I feel so sad, but most of the times you just make me mad” were just pure genius to underscore the film’s heartbreak and pain.

Adventureland also scored points for casting characters that fit the part. As Stewart said in an interview about working with Jesse Einsenberg (who played James), “they didn’t hire someone a little more obvious — like a young Brad Pitt.” Instead, they chose ordinary but likeable Eisenberg, who has been acting for 10 years in mostly indie films like Roger Dodger and The Squid and the Whale. He’s completely believable as the wannabe cool guy, who remains his well-read self but still falls for a kick in the groin from his jokester elementary school friend.

And even Stewart fit the Em character who, like her role in Twilight, has an appreciation for the morose, dark side of life.

Although the movie gets down right juvenile at times with lines like “you’ve got a boner,” you may find yourself laughing in spite of yourself.

So, if you are looking for a fun movie to relive your early twenties, first love and your crappiest summer job while listening to some great tunes – then Adventureland is the ride you’ve been looking for.

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