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Last Updated: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:49:26 PM |
*** 1/2 out of five
Judging by plot synopsis and trailers alone, it’s quite easy to dismiss Role Models as yet another formulaic entry in the manchild genre that Hollywood has seemed so fond of lately. And to be fair, it is another formulaic manchild movie – but luckily, it’s funny enough that it rises far above many of its peers.
One of the greatest boons to Role Models is the casting of Paul Rudd, who co-wrote the screenplay, as one of the leads. He has both the comedy chops to make the film a fun one to watch, and the humanity to make his character sympathetic and believable.
Rudd is Danny, an aimless 30-something who’s celebrating his 10-year anniversary of shilling Minotaur energy drink to middle-schoolers. The other half of the Minotaur team is Wheeler (Seann William Scott), who’s content to make a fool of himself while dressed as a giant minotaur and shares none of Danny’s ambitions to get on with life. But the two of them are forced to grow up when a disaster involving the Minotaur truck and a school statue leaves them with a sentence of 150 hours of community service at Study Wings, a Big Brothers Big Sisters-esque program. Danny partners with Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), a congenitally congested nerd whose life revolves a live-action role-playing group; and Wheeler ends up with Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson), a smart-mouthed and terribly profane young boy no one else has been able to tame.
It sounds predictable, and it is. In terms of plot development, Role Models adheres strictly to the model other movies in the genre have set. Everything is telegraphed miles in advance.
But that’s okay, because Role Models is often so laugh-out-loud funny that we forgive its predictability. There’s genuine cleverness underneath all the dirty jokes: the depiction of Augie’s live-action role-playing group, for example, is brilliant. In the hands of other writers, the group would have simply become a target for merciless mocking. In the hands of Rudd and co-writer David Wain, it’s still a target for mockery, but it’s affectionate rather than cruel. It’s just plain entertaining to watch, instead of embarrassing.
What’s also nice to note is that Rudd isn’t the only actor who brings more than the usual amount of depth to his role. Scott, Thompson, and Mintz-Plasse are all character types (horny, immature guy; sassy black kid; socially awkward nerd), but each actor digs deep into the role and makes us want to like them. They’re not fleshed out as much as they could have been, but there are more than a few I-know-someone-just-like-that moments.
And special notice should be given to Jane Lynch as an ex-convict who runs Sturdy Wings. Hers is only a supporting role, but she makes the most of it, and nearly every of her lines is a laugh riot.
So I’ve got to admit defeat here. Before Role Models, I figured there was no way Hollywood could actually come out with another manchild comedy that would actually be funny. I’m very, very glad I’m wrong.
Role Models runs 99 minutes and is rated R for crude and sexual content, strong language, and nudity. Viewed at Southpark 16.
ereel@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421
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