An aspiring suburban poet and recent Syracuse grad’s enthusiasm for her craft does not flag when she enters the Adult World, literally when the only job that she can find is in a store with that name, and figuratively when she leaves the nest to try and make it on her own. It stars Emma Roberts as Amy, the earnest and inexperienced striver, John Cusack as her unwilling poet mentor, Rat Billings, Armando Riesco as Rubia, her initially reluctant friend who takes her under her wing and Evan Peters as her coworker.
I loved Adult World, and while it is not better than Party Girl, which is one of my all time favorite movies, I instantly loved it so much for how it evoked the same feelings in me in spite of some pacing problems and it starting with one of my most despised narrative tropes, how we got here. I saw it immediately after Bad Santa 2 when I found myself questioning whether funny movies ever existed or whether I was temporarily delusional then I was relieved to find myself literally laughing out loud during this entire movie.
Adult World is like a symphony. Every actor is a different instrument and has a different tempo, but when placed together in the same scene, it brings out something beautiful that would not be possible alone and makes it soar. Every role manages to exceed expectations. Roberts is a terrific comedic actor while never laughing at her characters. Amy may be unhinged, but she does not know it. While everyone kind of wants to hate her for being so clueless and driven, because she plays it straight as if she is a bull in a china shop that really believes that she is a fairy, she can still be likeable. She doesn’t get that effort and caring aren’t the equivalent of actually being successful and good so she elicits pity and tolerance while you root for her to grow.
Adult World feels like an unofficial sequel to one of Cusack’s 1980 Savage Steve Holland films. He is a man who achieved success at eighteen then either plateaued or at least was intimidated or disillusioned by his early success. He is just as dramatic as she is, but tempered by age and experience. “You’ll be tested. You’ll be tested every day…and you’ll fail.” I love that Cusack chose to play Rat as terrified of this eager stalker and desperately trying to run away from her. Every Cusack scene features some unexpected delicate physicality or deft crafting of obstacles between him and others. I especially love that the movie consistently highlights the younger women’s awkward attempts at seduction of men and how the men see through it because they’re not morons or blind then deflect their advances. It is such a refreshing contrast to most movies that make younger woman expert seductresses and men helpless to their feminine wiles. His delivery of the lines has an explicit, clear intended meaning that Amy willfully chooses to ignore and attribute a more complimentary interpretation. When she finally gets it, he delivers a slight wry smile and does a little mischievous dance of joy at temporarily getting some alone time.
Ultimately Riesco’s performance as Rubia, a transwoman, is the surprise scene stealer. I loved Rubia because she is not amused by her initial encounter with Amy or Amy’s friend, but primarily projects her feelings on her face then when they find common ground and is struck by Amy’s simple politeness, she visibly softens and opens up to her, not without some hiccups. While they become friends, Rubia sets up clear boundaries that she does not exist to nurture Amy. “Don’t you like having me here?” “No.” She gets the best lines, has the best reactions—all are GIF worthy, and has the best chemistry and interactions with every character even when the combination is unexpected. Her most memorable scenes are just as funny upon second viewing (yes, I bought the movie for $9.99 on Amazon Prime video and watched it a second time). “We just found you a mentor, girl.” The combination of the editing, music, choice of film location, script or improvisation in that scene makes it one of the most hilarious sequences of all time.
None of Adult World’s characters are perfect, but they are all relatable. Even the smaller roles resonate as people navigate life, figure out what they want to do and why, and how to practically survive and live fully while doing it. I love movies that explore those themes, but the best part of this intergenerational comedy was how the film respects the needs of the soul and wallet, taking both needs seriously without ridiculing either and still finding humor in the absurdity of striking the balance between both. There is a dignity to making a living, living the dream and finding your people, but also hilarious in confronting reality and dealing with personal shortcomings. “Don’t take my napkins!”
A lot of people hated Adult World so maybe I’m wrong, but watching it after Bad Santa 2 probably contributed to my adoration of it. One incorrectly thinks that being shocking automatically equals entertaining whereas the other plays what is initially shocking to Amy as quotidian and approachable. It creates an image of community that is heartwarming without being schmaltzy and a flawed protagonist that is still endearing in her desperation for approval.