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Movie Review: Role Models
‘Role Models’ predictable, but fun
By Rachel Shepard
Special to 2theadvocate.com
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out of 4 stars.
“Role Models” follows Danny Donahue (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott), two energy drink reps who can hardly be considered model citizens.
When Danny has a terrible day, he explodes on the job, causing himself and Wheeler to be in serious trouble. Danny’s lawyer girlfriend, Beth (Elizabeth Banks) is able to keep them from 30 days of jail time only if the two agree to participate in 150 hours of community service with a Big Brother program.
At Sturdy Wings, Danny and Wheeler are paired with two special kids, Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson) who have nothing in common with them. While the pair tries to get their hours in, they find that jail time doesn’t look so bad.
They also discover that maybe even the worst, immature citizens can make the best mentors.
When people see Rudd and Mintz-Plasse (McLovin of “Superbad”) starring together in a film, they generally expect a comedy on par with the likes of Judd Apatow. While “Role Models” provides lots of laughs and is entertaining throughout the entire film, it still lacks the wit and originality Apatow films provide.
Although “Role Models” is fairly predictable, writer/director David Wain makes even the predictability charming and funny. Just because you have the Hollywood formula for comedy doesn’t mean it will be great, but “Role Models” makes it work. It proves that a formula is sometimes all you need to make people laugh, as long as it’s done well with characters people can like.
The characters in this film really made everything come together. Rudd and Scott played the typical adults who need to grow up, but they were perfect together and made you love them even when they were being idiots. Jane Lynch was great as the ex-con-turned-sober children’s director, and it reminded me of her oddball characters in Christopher Guest films like a “Mighty Wind” and “Best in Show.”
Mintz-Plasse played his McLovin character once again, this time as a nerd who loves the medieval realm. But it was Thompson as the potty-mouthed, rebellious 10-year-old who stole the show. Every line ended with a laugh from the audience, and he never ceased to amaze or shock with his antics.
“Role Models” isn’t the best comedy of the year, but it is far from the worst. You’ll definitely enjoy yourself and get your money’s worth of laughs, but beware that Apatow’s comedic genius isn’t seen here.
