Film

Great 'Role Models'

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

Friday, November 7, 2008

In the latest installment of the R rated comedy ‘Role Models’ chimes in as perhaps the most offensive and hilarious film to date. After all that people have experience in the last couple of months – from the economic stress to the presidential race – is finally time for them to unapologetically laugh out loud.

Paul Rudd (‘Knocked up’) and Sean William Scott (American Pie series) are two salesmen for the energy drink Minotaur going around local schools marketing the drinks as a replacement for drugs. The approach is not the only questionable tactic behind the so-called energy drink. Both men are completely different from one another Danny (Rudd) is the quintessential cynic who moves around pointing out the needless and idiotic platitudes everyone uses to cope with life. Wheeler (Scott) is the overgrown teenager used to chase skirts and keggers everyday – if not every hour – of the week. After crashing their company truck at a school marketing outing they face two options – prison or 150 hours of community service.

From then on ‘Role Models’ steps into high gear with lewd humor, sexual references and withering commentary throughout the film. The dodgy pair are sent to Sturdy Wings, a mentorship program run by an ex-addict, to work their 150 hours and paired up with two trouble kids alike. Danny is set with Augie (better known as McLovin from ‘Superbad’) who is obsessed with medieval role playing which only serves to control his teenage angst – that only irritates Danny to no end. Ronnie (newcomer Bobb’e J. Thompson) is Wheeler’s foul-mouthed fifth grader whose inability to behave makes for great comedic moments. The odd pairing is a great setting to establish the storyline of the film on how immature adults sometimes need to pass uncertain wisdom to the younger generation – even if it’s in the most unconventional of ways.

Director David Wain (‘The Ten’ and ‘Wet Hot American Summer’) follows a simple formula that enhances the script – which he co-wrote with Rudd, Timothy Dowling and Ken Marino – of building chemistry between his characters. Something he is very keen of and learned through his two decades of work in a comedy group. The latter experience is clearly shown in ‘Role Models’ as the film carries a unique set of supporting characters for Rudd and Scott adding to the hysterical moments.

‘Role Models’ is Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott’s first time working together in an R rated comedy. The result is simply entertaining and uproarious – the much needed comical uplift for everyone these days.

Check out ‘Role Models’ Official Site