Adventureland finds charm in the mysteries of Pittsburgh
April 1, 2009 at 12:31 pm by Curt Holman in movies & tv
PLAYER HATERS: James (Jesse Eisenberg) and Joel (Martin Starr)
Flashing back to the ’80s, Adventureland sets up tension between Falco and Lou Reed to convey the crossroads facing its young heroes. The charming coming-of-age comedy primarily takes place at Pittsburgh’s seedy Adventureland amusement park, where “Rock Me Amadeus” plays incessantly on loudspeakers like a form of psychological warfare. For the park’s overeducated, underemployed summer workers, Lou Reed tunes such as “Satellite of Love” soothe jangled nerves after long shifts of handing out stuffed pandas and cleaning up vomit.
Adventureland’s soundtrack offers more than a nostalgic hit parade. It also provides a metaphor for the decisions young people make for themselves, as well as the choices forced upon them. No matter how much you like Lou Reed, in each life, some Falco must fall.
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