I just got back from watching Adventureland and my jaw is on the floor. It wasn't at all what I was expecting (considering the previews, the cast, and the fact that the director was responsible for Superbad). I can't really even put my finger on it specifically. It's not as if I directly related to the characters, the place (Pittsburgh), or the time (though I do remember 1987 fairly well. I was happy to see that they showed the thing I remembered most about Pittsburgh when I drove through it once - those winding, tiered interchanges on the freeway were amazing to me. I was just kind of lost in them. Maybe it was because I was exhausted and driving through the night, but it was somehow hazy and surreal and I loved it. But back to the topic. It must have been the music. Well, it was definitely the music, but there was certainly something more. There was a perfect mixture of innocence and discovery, happiness with a comforting undercurrent of sadness, delight and boredom / restlessness (and the delight in the boredom and restlessness). I guess it's these moments that put us in the perfect place for making lasting connections with people. I'm not sure this a powerful plea for seeing the movie, but I'm not sure I need it to be.
But the music. The movie ended perfectly, in my mind. And, of course, the music was great, but I was blown away by the pick of the INXS song "Don't Change." I can't even get into why that song means so much to me, but it just does. I actually had a really awkward moment when I called a radio station and requested that song and the DJ had no idea what I was talking about. An INXS greatest hits cd had just come out and I assured the DJ that the song was on there. I quickly realized that it wasn't and I couldn't believe it. It has to be their best song. One of the best songs. But then I started to just consider that maybe it was just personal and not many others would get it. Its appearance in Adventureland just bowled me over. I have that record, but it's back in Tulsa (along with that radio station). So, my goal before passing out tonight is to find that song and make sure it's loaded on my ipod for my road trip next week. It will be the perfect soundtrack for when I'm floating through Pittsburgh in the middle of the night.
INXS - Don't Change
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