The year is 1987. Recent college grad James Brennan wants to go to Europe as a way to celebrate his achievements. However, his parents can’t afford it. So, James has to find a job and make his own money for it.

After being unable to get a few jobs, James lands one at a local amusement park called Adventureland. He is in charge of running the carnival games.

One rule he is given is that no one can just win a giant panda doll, because there aren’t too many. However, when someone tries to assault him, another worker, Emily (“Em”) Lewin gives them a giant panda doll. This ends up saving James. This also causes him to develop strong feelings for Em.

Em invites James to her house for a party since her dad and stepmother are out of town. While there, they discover that they like the same music and swim in the pool. But a married man named Mike Connell comes over and makes love with Em.

Regardless of that, James and Em continue developing their feelings for each other. However, after James tells Mike that he’s in love with Em and Em finds out, she reacts negatively.

Not long after, James sees this young woman, Lisa P, who loves flirting with the other male workers. He decides to form a relationship with her. He even goes out with her to a club and dances with her. But he tells her not to let anyone else know about the date.

But Lisa cannot keep a secret. Eventually, everyone else who works at Adventureland finds out, including Em. This prompts her to quit her job and move back to New York.

Devastated by this, James gets drunk and crashes into his neighbor’s car. He has to pay for the damage with all the money he made at his job.

This movie kept my attention all the way through, despite how it was a little bit slow-paced. The plot was kind of complex, too, thus hard to follow at times.

However, that did not keep me from enjoying this movie. It was occasionally funny, although the tension levels were a bit low. But that is probably expected for a romantic comedy.

Speaking of which, the relationships between the characters were realistic. They talked about topics that most real couples discuss, including taking things to the next level.

This film is rated R not only for language, but also for smoking, drugs, and intense intimacy. It is not suitable for kids. However, I think it is okay for anyone 16 or over.

I think a lot of young adults will find the characters relatable. An example of such may be working at a summer job to make money and all the drama that could happen.

Overall, I enjoyed watching Adventureland. In fact, where I live in New York, there is also a park not far from me called Adventureland.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars.