History Film / Adventureland

** It's also a much less comedic {{Film/Waiting}} in an amusement park. Especially with ''Creator/RyanReynolds'' acting in both films.

* RunningGag: [[{{Jerkass}} Frigo]] [[GroinAttack hitting James in the groin.]] [[spoiler:[[LaserGuidedKarma James does get his revenge at the end, though.]]]]

** A lot of the fashion looks more like it comes from TheNineties rather than TheEighties (with the salient exception of the club scenes). Jesse Eisenberg's hair and mannerisms all but scream Millenial, and using slang terms like "weed" rather than "pot" or shortening "douchebag" to "douche" are at least somewhat questionable. A good deal of this could have been averted, since the only real reason for this story to take place in 1987 is, presumably, the director's nostalgia factor (small, rural amusement parks like this do exist today, and even maintain a lot of the old prize games left over from days of yore), and the fact that much of the third act could have been easily resolved with a few text messages.

* ADegreeInUseless: Brennan tries to get a job in the beginning of the film, but no one hires him. He declares that his literature degree makes him "not even fit for manual labor". Joel is currently a Penn State student, majoring in Russian literature and Slavic languages, and predicts that his careers include "cabby, hot dog vendor, marijuana delivery guy. The world is my oyster".
* DoubleStandard: Conversed and defied by Brennan in a notable example. [[spoiler:When Connell and Em's affair is brought to light, despite the fact Connell is ''married'', its ''Em'' [[SlutShaming that everyone starts to shame and blame for it.]] Despite being hurt from her doing it, since he really liked Em, Brennan is ''pissed'' when Lisa P spouts this view.]]

* RecycledInSpace: It's ''Film/GardenState''... in Pittsburgh.
** Probably could also say it's a much less comedic {{Film/Waiting}} in an amusement park. Especially with ''Creator/RyanReynolds'' acting in both films.
* RougeAnglesOfSatin: "Satin Lives". [[DeadpanSnarker Em]] attributes it to "One of those textile worshipping cults, no doubt."

* BitchInSheepsClothing: Connell is a mild version of this. He gives James advice on everything and takes him under his wing, and in general appears to be a likable NiceGuy...who is also constantly cheating on his wife.

* AnachronismStew: A lot of the fashion looks more like it comes from TheNineties rather than TheEighties (with the salient exception of the club scenes). Jesse Eisenberg's hair and mannerisms all but scream Millenial, and using slang terms like "weed" rather than "pot" or shortening "douchebag" to "douche" are at least somewhat questionable. A good deal of this could have been averted, since the only real reason for this story to take place in 1987 is, presumably, the director's nostalgia factor (small, rural amusement parks like this do exist today, and even maintain a lot of the old prize games left over from days of yore), and the fact that much of the third act could have been easily resolved with a few text messages.

It's the summer of 1987. James Brennan, having just graduated from Oberlin College, looks forward to a vacation in Europe with a friend and then graduate school at Columbia University. One little problem: after a financial setback, his parents can no longer afford to help him pay for either. What's a poor over-educated, under-experienced lit-major nerd to do? Oh, get a grunt job at the [[VideoArcade arcade]] in the eponymous "Adventureland" amusement park. HilarityEnsues.

* {{Jerkass}}: Frigo, through and through, not least because of all his [[GroinAttack junk-punching]].
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Somewhat played with concerning Connell; he gives James advice on everything and takes him under his wing, and in general appears to be a likable NiceGuy...who is also constantly cheating on his wife.

* LoveMakesYouCrazy: Why else would Brennan have [[spoiler:gone after Em all the way to New York]]?

* MrFanservice: It's ''Creator/RyanReynolds''. {{Lampshade|hanging}}d to a certain extent, since he's the mysterious badass musician everyone hears rumors about.
* MsFanservice: Lisa P.
** And again Em (perhaps to a lesser degree than Lisa, though). At least, James certainly [[RagingStiffie sees her that way]] in the pool.

* GenreRefugee: Frigo seems to have wandered in from your typical raunchy teen comedy (as opposed to the much more realistic, grounded film he's in).

* {{Jerkass}}: Frigo, through and through. Not least because of all his [[GroinAttack junk-punching]].

While not a box office smash, this 2009 film received good reviews and gained a respectable fan following. Written and directed by Greg Mottola, who had previously directed ''{{Film/Superbad}}'', ''Film/{{Adventureland}}'' attempts a more [[{{dramedy}} realistic approach]], rather than relying on [[RuleOfFunny outlandish hijinks]].

* AllDrummersAreAnimals: Munch, really only shown during the scene when he re-enacts the time when he played “Limelight” by Music/{{Rush|Band}}.

* GoodBadGirl: Lisa P subverts this, twice. At first, it seems that she's playing it straight, until we find out that like Brennan, she's also a virgin. Then we find out that she's the one who [[spoiler: spread the gossip that causes the big rift between Em and Brennan]] and that her views on sexuality and gender roles are rather reactionary.

* LastNameBasis: Most people refer to James as “Brennan”, rather than James.

* LoveMakesYouCrazy: Why else would Brennan have [[spoiler: gone after Em all the way to New York]]?
* MaleGaze:

* MrFanservice: It's ''Creator/RyanReynolds''. {{Lampshaded}} to a certain extent, since he's the mysterious badass musician everyone hears rumors about.

* PacManFever: [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] that it's an arcade in an amusement park in 1987, so there probably was a game of ''Franchise/DonkeyKong'' in the background making that noise. Incidentally, Kennywood (where the movie was filmed) ''does'' continue to operate 1980's arcade games (and many machines even older than that) up to when this film was released.

* {{Rouge Angles of Satin}}: "Satin Lives". [[DeadpanSnarker Em]] attributes it to "One of those textile worshipping cults, no doubt."

Creator/JesseEisenberg stars as Brennan, Creator/KristenStewart co-stars as his primary love interest Emily "Em" Lewin. Creator/RyanReynolds provides the RomanticFalseLead, one Mike Connell. Mike is a cool, badass coworker who leads a rock band in his spare time. It's said he once jammed with Music/LouReed.

* SpiritualSequel: It plays even better if you look at it as ''Series/FreaksAndGeeks: TheMovie''. It's only got one actor in common, but the style is almost exactly the same.

* AllGirlsWantBadBoys: In Em's case, [[spoiler:married]] bad boys.

* Atheist: Joel.

* BoyMeetsGirl: Played straight with Brennan and Em.
* BrainlessBeauty: Lisa P.
* BrokenBird: Em.
* CaughtInTheRain: A common trope that actually leads up to a sweet, well-done ending.

* DeadpanSnarker: Joel, Brennan (at times), and Connell.

* DudeMagnet: Lisa P.
* TheEighties: The film's setting, but played realistically.
* ExtravertedNerd: Brennan. Unlike a lot of characters in his stereotype and Jesse Eisenberg characters, he's a people-person.

* LonelyRichKid: Em.

* MaleGaze: At least one long tracking shot of Lisa P.'s butt while Joel gushes about it in the background.

* MaybeEverAfter

* VisualPun: "RIDES!"
* VomitDiscretionShot: The morning after James' whiskey binge.
* VomitIndiscretionShot: Frigo puking on the back of James' dad's car.

* AllDrummersAreAnimals: Munch, really only shown during the scene when he re-enacts the time when he played “Limelight” by Music/{{Rush}}.