Review: Role Models

Role Models

OPENING: 11/07/2008

STUDIO: Universal

TRAILER: Trailer

ACCOMPLICES: Official Site

The Charge
Danny and Wheeler were just sentenced to 150 hours mentoring kids. Worst idea ever.

Opening Statement
Role Models tells the tale of two incredibly immature adult males. That sentence may make you think of Step Brothers, the recently released Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly comedy. That thought may make you walk away without wanting to see Role Models. Before you do, permit me to share a little bit of information with you. Step Brothers offered a portrait of an absurd state of immaturity that I have never seen in any human being over the age of ten. It was preposterous, mean-spirited, and unfunny. Role Models offers a portrait of immaturity that is all too recognizable and familiar in the real world. It is reasonably convincing, sweet-spirited, and funny. Good enough?

Facts of the Case
Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Sean William Scott) work for an energy drink corporation, and go around to public schools telling kids to partake of their high-caffeine energy drink instead of drugs. Wheeler finds the job incredibly satisfying and is completely happy, as long as he can find a steady stream of women to bed. On the other hand, Danny is incredibly unhappy. His relationship with Beth (Elizabeth Banks) isn’t working out so well, he feels like he isn’t accomplishing anything in life, and he has a general spite for humanity. On a particularly bad day, Danny flips out and his behavior earns the irresponsible pair 150 hours of community service work.

They are told to do some work for an organization called “Sturdy Wings,” a Big Brother/Big Sister-type program in which adults mentor troubled children. Wheeler is assigned a young kid named Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson), who is surely the most foul-mouthed and antagonistic child on the face of the Earth. His response to almost everything would not be fit to print in this review. Danny is assigned Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse, aka “McLovin” of Superbad), a geeky young man addicted to a fantasy role-playing game called “Laire.” Every Saturday, he dresses up in robes, heads out to the soccer fields, and engages in sword-and-sorcery battles with like-minded foes. No one is particularly happy with the arrangements.

The Evidence
The best material in Role Models comes from Rudd and Mintz-Plasse, who create memorable and engaging characters. Few people are as gifted as Rudd at making near-suicidal depression painfully funny. You get the sense that Rudd would be constantly raging with anger, if only he weren’t so tired and broken-hearted. In the gifted actor’s hands, this is a lot more laugh-inducing than it sounds, yet also quite honest. Meanwhile, Mintz-Plasse serves as the film’s heart and soul, bringing a measure of geeky dignity to his role-playing fantasy games. The climactic battle sequence that serves as the film’s finale is one of the highlights of the film. I also greatly enjoyed the way the film cheerfully promotes such behavior, while also playfully nudging it in the ribs.

Scott and young Thompson are sometimes funny, but their material relies a little too much on standard-issue shock value. Scott behaves very badly and serves as a terrible mentor for the child, and Thompson unleashes a barrage of nasty language that would make David Mamet wince. Maybe a kid endlessly repeating variations on the f-word is funny, but it gets old after a few minutes. The same applies for kind old ladies, so don’t try that one next time either. I did greatly enjoy the performance of Jane Lynch, who is quickly turning into a reliable source for humorous supporting turns.

At only 95 minutes, the film is pretty short, but it somehow feels longer. I think 5 or 10 minutes could have been carefully snipped by writer/director David Wain (MTV’s The State) to make a more satisfying experience. I’m also continuing to get the feeling that the Apatow-inspired R-rated comedy is starting to build it’s own set of predictable conventions. Five years ago, this movie would have seemed fresh and been hailed by critics. These days, it’s just another pleasant (if crass) trip to the movies. The concept of having lovable young characters spew out dialogue previously unthinkable was fun for a while, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks it’s starting to feel a little unimaginative.

Closing Statement
This particular brand of formulaic comedy is infinitely more satisfying than, say, a typical Kate Hudson rom-com, but it’s time to start breaking new ground. A movie like Pineapple Express is a good example, one which slowly transformed this sort of comedy into a terrifically violent James Bond film of sorts. Even so, Role Models handles the material smartly enough to warrant a recommendation for those not easily offended.

The Verdict
8/10

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