Role Models

Starring: Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobbe J. Thompson, and Jane Lynch

Written by: David Wain, Timothy Dowling, Paul Rudd, and Ken Marino

Directed by: David Wain

Role Models is a great example of a work where the characters (and the actors portraying said characters) can pick up weaker source material. In the wrong hands, Role Models would have been nothing more than a failed buddy comedy that might have been just offensive.

But with great camaradare from Seann William Scott and the always underrated Paul Rudd really carries the film and makes it very enjoyable.

But it doesn’t stop there. The well casted effort also features great engaging performances by the already typecast Christopher Mintz-Plasse as nerdy geek boy with a love for live action roleplaying. In addition young Bobbe J. Thompson also makes a character you should and probably would hate in other hands, and make him endearing.

And finally a film stealing performance by the always solid Jane Lynch.

The story is more of a vague outline in reality. Two energy drinks salesman go on the road and one of them flips after realizing he’s been on the job for ten years with no future. After proposing and subsequentily getting rejected and then dumped, Paul Rudd’s character goes on a rampage which earns him and Scott 150 hours of community service where they meet their charges.

Of course it becomes a little gooey and heartwarmning when after a few miscues, the guys become affectionate of their charges and evenutally risk going to jail to make sure they are taken care of.

But it is done so amusingly that you don’t mind the cheeses factor. Especially since, if anything, they embrace the cheese factor so convincingly.

The laughs are there if not riotous, and the storyline is ultimately satisfying given the type of film it is. It is definitely worth a rental.

B