Adult World stars Emma Roberts as Amy, a recent college grad, who is convinced that it’s her destiny to become the next wunderkind of American poetry. However, her massive college loans must be paid, and her parents insist that she get a job. Naive Amy grudgingly accepts the only one she can find, at an adult book/video store (the Adult World of the title) — but only until her true genius is discovered. This is where Rat Billings (John Cusack) comes in. In his youth, the now 40-something Billings was a much-lauded poet. Now, he’s washed up and teaches undergrad lit classes in a backwater college town. Amy wants Billings to guide her to greatness, and won’t take no for an answer.

On the one hand, Adult World is a sharp satire of the relentless pursuit of fame, and the generational friction between Baby Boomers, Gen-Xers, and Millennials. But it’s also a coming-of-age story that recalls the work of John Hughes. Adult World is literally where Amy works, and it’s figuratively where she is trying to go. Growing up, it seems, can be just as hilarious as it was in the ’80s.

Adult World
R - 97 min - Tickets $7
Thurs. March 6: 9:30 p.m.
Fri, March 7: 9:30 p.m.
Sat, March 8: 7:30 p.m.
Sun, March 9: 7:30 p.m.
Thus, March 13: 9:30 p.m.