Role Models Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Danny and Wheeler were just sentenced to 150 hours mentoring kids. Worst idea ever.
They're about to get more than they plea-bargained for.
Wild behavior forces a pair of energy drink reps to enroll in a Big Brother program.
| Paul Rudd | Danny Donahue |
| Seann William Scott | Wheeler |
| Shane Arenal | Student #1 |
| Landon Ashworth | Chipmunk Charlie |
| Tajh Bellow | Zak |
| Hunter Brochu | Little Boy |
| Ryan Cartwright | Chipmunk Dennis |
| Caleb Matthew Collins | Little #1 |
| Kurt Doss | Kyle |
| Garret Gerlich | Bathroom Boy |
| James Henderson | Party Goer #1 |
| Ken Jeong | King Argotron |
| Mark Kubr | Centaur Man |
| Cody Lawrence | Skateboard Kid |
| Joe Lo Truglio | Kuzzik |
| David Wain |
7.70 out of 10 (13466 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Wassup, Reindeer Games?
posted on 30 Aug 2009Role Models, while not really something out a genius mind, is both hilarious and touching. A kind of warm hearted comedy that hits you straight in the heart sans the toilet humor and green jokes and delivers the life important message of doing something that makes you happy. Paul Rudd who is slowly stepping out behind Steve Carell and Seth Rogen establishes himself as a deadpan comedian and proves that he can be an effective lead. Seann William Scott on the other hand, shows the audience that he's not the same Stifler we all knew him to be as he takes on a role albeit similar to Stifler but different in context. It may be just be me, but I think that's a stepping stone in his acting career.Surprise performances from kid wonder Bobb'e J Thompson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse aka McLovin, add a couple of estrogen power with Jane Lynch and Elizabeth Banks and you get a well picked cast and the hilarity will follow. A couple of little mistakes I noticed is at some point throughout the movie, it just can't help but be a little bit cheesy and towards the ending, it got a little too cute for my taste and I think the movie could have ended on a better foot. But overall, I'd say its worth the watch.
Brilliant comedy
posted on 28 Aug 2009Was way better than I thought it was going to be. I usual expect most American comedies to have the usual plot line and this one sounded no different. Some good work from the dependable Paul Rudd, Sean Willam Scott and especially (McLovin) Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Bobb'e J. Thompson who make it into a pretty decent comedy. After going off the rails in a boring job, the two adults are given the chance to avoid jail by mentoring some difficult kids in the community. The results and ending are rarely ever in doubt so there is not much in the way of spontaneous laughter, but in general its not quite as bad a film as some might make out, certainly worth a watch, just not a list topper.
the worst movie I have ever seen
posted on 28 Aug 2009After I saw 7,8 out of ten, I was thinking - this is going to be an awesome comedy, I have to see it! What a mistake, what a disappointment. Please do not watch this, it really is a waste of time.After 90 minutes spent on waiting for some joke or something I could laugh on, I really do not understand how this movie deserved so many points. The biggest disappointment was a plot - not even interesting, not graduating, only trying to look like something is happening.After the movie ended, I was really in a bad mood and I was thinking 'I do not want to see any more movies!' That is how it affected me.
Hilarious and touching movie, see it now!
posted on 26 Aug 2009Just saw a preview showing of this movie. This movie both hilarious and touching. It wasn't the kind of movie like Superbad or Pineapple Express where super hilarious but not much of a story, but it was almost there in funniness (I couldn't think of any other word to put here and no, 'comedy' would not have worked). You really felt for the characters unlike a lot of movies in this genre and it's definitely what I guess you would call a sweet movie (but not quite in the romantic comedy direction). There were a couple parts that I was completely taken by surprise (especially right before the big 'battle sequence' at the end), which isn't usually for this kind of comedy. I would highly recommend this movie for anyone, definitely worth the $10 of todays movie prices.
'...funny, likable and entertaining movie, which never quite takes off...'
posted on 24 Aug 2009The year is still young, and to keep our minds wrapped in anticipation, Role Models is a well crafted comedy for the Apatow crowd, and shines a bright light on what the year still has to offer.Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Sean William Scott) play the odd couple, work associates who get sentenced 150 hours community services mentoring kids at a Camp called Sacred Oaks. The movie unravels as the pair both bond and find relationship, and of coarse, no sh*t, a lot of funny stuff along the way.Giving the two lead roles to two actors who are normally pushed aside as co-stars was a wise choice, and we Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott in their element, Do they pull it off? A unexcited yes seals it, but Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Bobb'e J. Thompson, the kids in the wings, uplift it to a stage which is frightfully funny and build real chemistry to a film quite dry.Role Models is a genuine, funny, entertaining movie and gives little more. Everything you see in the trailer unravels in the first 10 minutes of this movie. The pacing is all over the place. In parts the director could have really taken his time over character development, instead the movie just slurs in and out of interest. They start really well and finish brilliantly, there's just little edge to keep you occupied through out the middle sequences.It's funny without being hilarious. Role Models is predictable in almost every way, but a smile is assured to drive aside that. Jane Lynch brings a great element to this movie, while a pointless Elizabeth Banks does very little.Overall: Role Models is a likable, funny, entertaining movie, which never quite takes off, but stays uncomfortable poking in and out of moods. Definitely for the Apatow crowd, balancing a heart warming tale with damn slice of gross out humour. Just not quite the romp we expected…
Taste the beast … Role Models
posted on 24 Aug 2009I need to look into the plethora of comedies coming down the pipe for who wrote and directed them. I watched the trailer for Role Models and thought it looked funny enough. But it was Seann William Scott—don't get me wrong, he's pretty good, I just didn't have it high on my list, even though my boy Paul Rudd co-starred. So, here I was, months later and finally ready to take a peek, and the starting credits just made me excited for what was to follow. I had no idea that the crew behind "The State" were integral in the production, both writing and starring. Whether my memory of that show holds up to its actually enjoyment, I don't know, however, what they have been doing lately has been comic genius. Even in the more subtle collaborations like Diggers, the laughs were big and the comedy worthwhile. Thankfully, director David Wain and co-writer Ken Marino brought the star of that film over, Rudd, to help them once again. The guy is pure gold these days and even though this new film is pretty run-of-the-mill story-wise, the characters and antics are anything but.Two man-childs screw up on the job, (performing at school auditoriums to sell kids on an unhealthy energy drink to take the place of narcotics), by disrupting the peace, destroying property, and abusing a police officer. Rudd's Danny's girlfriend, who broke up with him just before the incident, is a lawyer and gets jail time reduced to community service for the Sturdy Wings organization, (got to admit I really like the logo for this made-up entity in the film). Danny and William Scott's Wheeler find themselves paired with the two toughest cases in the program: Augie Farks, a nerdy teen who entrenches himself in a live-action D&D world called LAIRE, and Ronnie Shields, a foul-mouthed grade schooler from a single mother home, acting out to push all those who try and reach him away. Assigned by Wings founder Gayle Sweeney, (the always memorable Jane Lynch in another gem of a role as an ex-drug addict prostitute who found her calling in "servicing" the children); they are set up to fail to be sent to the big house. While Wheeler begins to enjoy time with a child as crude as himself, Danny can't get out of his funk, a depression that continues to escalate, as he can't even bring himself to call his co-worker a friend … they just work together.The interactions with Augie and Ronnie, (Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Bobb'e J. Thompson respectively), are definitely the high points of a very funny film. I hate to say that McLovin' will forever be typecast as the loser geek—his nasally voice and gawky features don't help the fact—but, for now, it's working for him. Wearing a cape and fighting grown men in costumes who speak old English, Augie is both embarrassing and endearing, showing a side of us all, that need to be unique and different, to escape the monotony of our horrible lives, no matter what cost to our own public image. As for Thompson's Ronnie, you won't get anything funnier. This kid is fantastic: cussing, slapping people in the face without warning, and bringing out the cute when necessary. I don't know whether to condemn or condone the parents of this boy, because he's definitely got something, I'm just not sure if it is morally right to let him have it. Both boys, though, fit right into the craziness of the movie, bringing out the inevitable discovery of Danny and Wheeler's need to dismantle their selfish selves, and adding fodder for and the creation of multiple laugh-out-loud moments.Supporting this foursome team is a lot of familiar faces, many who have worked with each other before. Lynch is a staple in this genre and joining her are a couple guys that have been cropping up lately too. Both Ken Jeong, (as the King of LAIRE), and Joe Lo Truglio, (a fellow countryman of Augie's), add some awkward brilliance to that thread of the story. You may remember both from bit parts in Pineapple Express … someone needs to get the Apatow gang and "The State" gang together for a film. As for members of that troupe, Ken Marino and Kerri Kenney have fun as Augie's parents, director David Wain himself tries to play the acoustic guitar, and even "UCB" alum Matt Walsh comes to join in the fun. Let's also not forget the beautiful Elizabeth Banks as Danny's love. She may not be integral to the humor, but she is the rock that his character works towards, and thus becomes a reason for some of the insane activities that occur.Yes, the kooky kids and their inclusion in the sordid ways of two screw-up adults would be funny anywhere, but add in the medieval wars, the teaching of an eleven year old on how to disguise his cleavage viewing, and the cryptic words spewing from Jane Lynch's mouth each time she's on screen, (along with her prize volunteer weirdo A.D. Miles), and you can't lose. References to pop culture are infused throughout, adding a level of relevance as well. We have Kiss entering the land of LAIRE, Rudd quoting every romantic film his character has seen, a gut-busting joke at Harry Potter's expense, and even a mention of Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's own regular Marvin Hamlisch. Sure its obvious, sure its vulgar, (I did view the un-rated version), but there is enough heart and an abundance of quality laughs to make checking Role Models out a good move.
Entertaining, silly comedy.
posted on 20 Aug 2009Danny (Paul Rudd) is a spokesman for a energy drink company, he's extremely bored with his job. But his partner Wheeler (Seann William Scott) loves his work, especially he's a mascot. When Danny nearly suffers from a nervous breakdown on the job with his partner, they got in trouble with the law. Danny's now ex-girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth Banks), who's a lawyer. She managed to convinced the judge, instead of going to jail. They will do community service for 150 hours at Sturdy Wings. Strudy Wings is a place, where needy or troubled children are befriends with a big brother type person. Danny is team with a overly shy 17 year-old boy named Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), who's loves doing role playing in Medieval Times place called LAIRE. Wheeler is team with a wild, hyper bad kid named Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson), who's loves woman breasts and certainly needs a father figure. Danny and Wheeler are having trouble getting along with these two kids, while the owner (and supervisor) of Strudy Wings named Sweeny (Jane Lynch) is keeping an eye on these two troubled adults.Directed by Davind Wain (Wet Hot American Summer) made an amusing comedy that offers some genuine laughs, vulgarity and gratuitous nudity that adds to the fun. Rudd and Scott are good as the mismatched friends. But Mintz-Plasse and Thompson have their comedic moments as well. This was an surprise box office hit in the fall of 2008. It was also one of the better movies of 2008.The DVD has two versions of the film, both R-Rated and the Unrated Version that includes three minutes of additional footage. The DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an good Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Th DVD offers a jokey commentary track by the director on the R-Rated version, deleted/extended scenes, outtakes and more. The Blu-ray edition offers more special features. "Role Models" was one of the funniest comedies of 2008 and this movie offers a few unexpected surprises. It will please the die- hard fans of Rock & Roll band "KISS" as well. Don't miss it. Screenplay by Rudd, Wain, Ken Marino & Timothy Dowling. From a story by Dowling and William Blake Herron (The Bourne Identity). Marino appears in a small role as Augie's stepfather. (****/*****).
A comedy that delivers.
posted on 16 Aug 2009Off the back of some recent 'star studded' comedy let downs like Tropic Thunder or Pineapple Express comes what I believe to be the comedy to beat in 2009. The storyline is so formulaic that you would almost groan if someone explained it too you but the actors, writing and overall characterisation lift this movie to be much more rewarding. The dialogue is razor sharp especially from Paul Rudd who is on excellent form (as both actor and co writer) why he is not a bigger star is frankly criminal. He works excellently alongside Sean William Scott who is at his best here dare I say it as good as his turns in the America Pie movies (of which for me he was always the star).Its when working with there younger counter parts that the movie really elevates itself from just another laugh at the dysfunctional slackers flick. Christopher Mintz- Plasse has to be commended here especially rather than just playing 'Mclovin' again he creates in Augie a much more rounded character and I found it hard not to be routing for him in his Fantasy battles. Bobb'e J Thompson is so adorably obnoxious that his scenes with William Scott are a joy to watch. I've always liked William Scott and its nice to see him finally lay to rest the ghost of 'Stifler'. All in all if you want to laugh your ass off at a great comedy with a gifted cast then Role Models is for you I for one will be seeing it again.
Loved it!
posted on 16 Aug 2009I saw this movie at a free screening last night, and by the time the movie was over, I was hoarse because I laughed so much. And these weren't just little laughs, but big guffaws. The whole audience was laughing through the whole movie. The previews are funny, but this is one instance where they don't show the only funny parts of the movie in the previews. Paul Rudd is a great actor, in general, and he really shines in this movie. The movie is hysterical, raunchy, and touching. Kudos to Rudd, Wain, and Merino. I really hope that this movie gains a lot of ground through the great buzz it is currently getting. It deserves that buzz.
Funny, Touching, And Almost Perfect
posted on 14 Aug 2009A comedy can not get better than this. I was laughing the whole time, but also by the end I felt it to be very touching. Paul Rudd, and Sean William Scott, two very funny people, are at the top of their game. Christopher Mintz-Plasse , and Bobbe J. Thompson, two newcomers are absolutely hilarious as the two bad kids they are left to watch after. The thing about this movie is that you start to understand why these kids are so bad, and they do it in the most touching way. There are a surprising amount of laughs, and even tears. The movie is not a game changer like Knocked Up or Superbad, but thanks to how good it is, see it at all costs.
Yes it is funny
posted on 14 Aug 2009As a comedy this movie delivers. I review movies for my part time job and after seeing 10+ movies a week, you get pretty numb to most of the stuff out there. This is one of the few comedies I've laughed out loud at in a while. There are lots of funny scenes throughout that kept me laughing the entire movie, instead of most comedies that just have lots of hit and miss scenes. This is up there Adam McKay's stuff, and better than most Happy Madison films.Many people have given this movie a bad review/rating based on its lack of story. Um sorry to break the news to you, but comedies are about one thing - humor. The story is only a background element to make a comedy, same as every other comedy out there. You rate a drama based on its story, not a comedy.
In a year of sub par comedies, this one hits a home run
posted on 10 Aug 2009A lot of comedy movies lately have been declining, even from old sure=fires like Will Ferrell. This movie was thus a great surprise, as it is absolutely hilarious.The four main characters (Rudd, Scott, Plasse and Thompson) are way too good in this movie, and a lot of the supporting actors, especially Jane Lynch, are on as well. While watching a little kid curse his head off and make countless jokes about Rudd being Ben Affleck might be the lowest form of comedy, it is one that you can't help loving.Aside from that, the story actually has some good messages about friendships, and about doing what makes you happy.Rudd is deadpan and saucy as ever, and Scott is at his Stiffler best. The best scenes in the movie have to do with their snarky dialog with Lynch.Definitely make sure you see this movie in some capacity.
Perfect 10 of Ribald and Raucous Humor ! Funny from Beginning to End !
posted on 10 Aug 2009For people who enjoy raucous and ribald humor, without being gross or uber juvenilistic like "Super Bad", "Role Models" delivers on many levels.Wheeler/Anson(Seann William Scott) and Danny Donahue(Paul Rudd) are buddies who work together as a two-man sales force for Minotaur Energy Drink. Wheeler is the mascot, with Danny the pitchman who go around to elementary and high schools, peddling this junk as an alternative to taking illegal drugs. Danny,after ten years with the company wants a better life and is extremely dissatisfied with his current situation. Wheeler is the easy going, take it as it comes B personality.Beth(Elizabeth Banks) wants out as Danny's lawyer girlfriend.So as Danny's personal crisis grows, he loses control when his Minotaur vehicle is about to be towed away.As an alternate punishment to jail, Wheeler and Danny are sentenced to 150 hours of community service. This is where the skill of Director David Wain shines, as he blends the crude rumor, with 10 year olds Augie Farks(Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Ronnie Shields(Bobb'e J. Thompson), and a maladjusted reformed sex-drug addict Gayle Sweeny(Jane Lynch), who is the proprietor of "Sturdy Wings", a juvenile reform center.What a FANTASTIC cast, Rudd's dead pan sarcasm and Scott's easy going manner, are a perfectly blended chemistry, that plays to the Max !If you aren't offended by some offensive language, that is said for shock value, and ALLOT of laughs,then this film is for you !There is some nudity, but boobs don't offend most people.Terrific script and exceptional direction carry this film over the top with laughter and sentimentality, when the main characters, must strive to help the children who have bonded to them, and help themselves to strive to be more in life.This film is a PERFECT 10, for those who are not offended by some crude language, and some sexual situations. Terrific Script !This film was not properly marketed, just look at the poster doesn't tell the real story. I would not recommend this film for teenagers under 16, even if they have heard the words , or live aberrant lifestyles.A must SEE, more than once ! Runtime 99 minutes, can't wait for the DVD !
My whole body hurt from laughing so hard
posted on 10 Aug 2009I believe that every decade or so, a few films comes along that defines a generation. In the comedy genre as of late, the Apatow gang has been stealing all the headlines. Superbad will go down as this generations Breakfast Club or Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Maybe Knocked Up will be known as the neo-Annie Hall. Up until now I'm not really sure what would be known or compared to Beverly Hills Cop. That film is on a stage unto itself. Eddie Murphy did something that no one had done before him and he spawned a myriad imitations. I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this, because although Role Models is not a "cop movie" it is a buddy movie with all the vulgarity and brash comedy as Beverly Hills Cop. Role Models will not make 200 million dollars the way Beverly Hills Cop did but it will be remembered for generations to come as one of the funniest films of the decade.I'll write a more detailed review of this later, but I had to come here and rebut all the negative comments in here about this film. This film had me laughing from the very first moment. Paul Rudd is simply hilarious and Jane Lynch could very well be a star after this film. She has all the best lines and her line about the judge and the kind of relationship they used to have is my choice for funniest line ever in the history of film. And I'm not exaggerating either.See this film. Yes, it is profanity laced, crude and very vulgar, but damn it is gut splitting hilarity from start to end.10/10
Funny movie lacks timing and delivery
posted on 08 Aug 2009Lots of good gags in this movie, but mediocre timing and delivery of the gags keeps it at "just average" funny. Just spamming gags can get some laughs, but gag "escalation" is what gets people rolling in the aisles, this movie doesn't have it. See "Something About Mary," "Happy Gilmore," or more recently, "Pineapple Express" for how to do it right.Proper escalation could have had the kids using what they learned from their role models to create gag setups at home, with women, etc. When the kid opens up the tent and sees the boobies, he should apply a lesson learned from his role model as to how to touch the boobies and get away with it, not just exclaim tritely.Mr. Rudd, you have the right idea here, best wishes with the next one.
So much funnier than I was expecting
posted on 06 Aug 2009After seeing the trailer for Role Models, I thought it looked like a funny movie, but I wasn't expecting much, I was thinking they might have just shown the great parts in the trailer and that would be it. But I took the opportunity and saw Role Models the other day and I have to say this is completely opposite from what I was expecting, first off I was worried that there was going to be a lot of gross humor and the kids might be more annoying than funny, but it turn out that this was one of the funniest movies I have seen this year. I just couldn't stop laughing throughout this film, who knew that Sean William Scott could actually be really funny? I know there are a lot of Stiffler fans that will hate that sentence, but I don't remember a time that I laughed so hard at his character. He and Paul Rudd both worked so well together and were terrific on screen, this was the last duo on Earth that I expected such great laughs from.Wheeler and Danny both work for an energy drink company, but after a very hard day for Danny he crashes their company truck on school property, but his ex-girlfriend, Beth, who is a lawyer is able to get them just 150 hours community service with two kids, one is a total dungeons and dragons nerd and the other is just a pain in the butt. You know how the story goes, Danny learns how to be happy and Wheeler finally grows up into a more father figure role.Now the story is something we have seen a million times before, but it's still a great comedy. Jane Lynch who is becoming one of my favorite comedic actresses, you've also seen her in 40 year old virgin, she is just absolutely hilarious in this movie and has all the best lines "You know what I ate for breakfast? Cocaine. You know what I ate for lunch? Cocaine..." she is such a great and fun actress to watch on screen. I really loved Role Models, it turned out to be a great comedy and was an absolute blast to watch. I highly recommend if you get the chance to see it, take it, it's a guaranteed laugh.8/10
Rauchingly sweet
posted on 04 Aug 2009For every twenty filthy disgusting R-rated comedy gems, there's one that stands out because of its heavy dosage of heart. Role Models isn't the sort of movie you'd expect to be the exception, but nonetheless delivers quality film-making, quality writing and acting, and plenty of life-lessons as well as raunchy humor to keep you laughing throughout. Paul Rudd's first script is full of his dry, sarcastic, witty brand of humor; and then we have the hilarious Seann William Scott in the sidekick role. Underneath the layers of profanity, sex jokes, cleavage lies life values and a hidden layer of sentimentality that seeps its way through the second and third acts. The transition is very slow and gradually actually improves the film as it rolls on.Role Models follows two slackers, a bitter one (Rudd) and a rowdy, horny freebird (William Scott) being forced to community service after a mishap outside a school. For their community service, they have to enroll in a big brother-like program and take care of a kid for 150 hours. The task becomes hard because one of them is a major fan of the fantasy, medieval role-playing lifestyle, and the other is a foul-mouthed, misbehaving youngling with no respect towards adults or people in general. As they spend more time together however, they realize they have a lot more in common than previously assumed; and suddenly start changing each other's habits for the better.The screenplay is helmed by four minds, with Paul Rudd providing his personal touch for the first time in his career. The payoff is magnificent, as the plot never dwells into formulaic, and most of the humor hits rather than misses. Unlike most modern rated-R comedies, some of the jokes are very low and come quickly, therefore passing by the viewer without getting a reaction. It takes some quick wit to nab the swiftly-delivered one-liners. Paul Rudd is perfectly cast as the lead character Danny, and performs with an overwhelming aura of selfishness, sarcasm, and subtle hostility. Seann William Scott is at his best when being second banana (See: American Pie, The Rundown) and is also perfectly cast as the wild, immature co-worker of Danny. Last but not least we must applaud Christopher Mintz-Plasse as he delivers another grand geeky performance that mixes humor with heart.What separates incredible rated-R comedies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and There's Something About Mary from stinkers like Scary Movie 2, Superbad, and My Best Friend's Girl is how much raunchy material is presented and its timing. In the first two films mentioned, there's squeamish and adult humor sprinkled throughout, but it's never overdone or overkilled. Role Models has a lot of profanity, a bit of sex, and a bit of crudeness attached; but these elements are never one-hundred percent focused on. Director David Wain knows how to keep the film from being unbearably crude and unwatchable by proving other ways to deliver laughs: whether it is with physical humor, snappy comebacks, and hilarious scenarios. The best bits are when Danny and Wheeler are having trouble adjusting to the behaviors of their "little brothers."But then the movie dwells into deeper territory by providing insight into the reason why the little brothers are such a hassle to handle; and why these kids can potentially help our two main characters. Themes about life, love, family, and understanding the next individual are all too present. Nobody's bizarre and unique mannerisms are ever left unexplained. By the end you've gotten to know the characters so well, you can figure out their next moves. It's a sort of predictability that's actually refreshing. Of course, then we are all thrown off by the climax, which stages one of the funniest moments in 2008 cinema. The epic finale is long, but ludicrous, and wraps up the story very nicely.Bottom Line: It usually isn't my nature to give a film with dozens of cleavage jokes a high score (especially with my hate affair with Dane Cook), but Role Models is surprisingly cute, surprisingly sweet, and delightfully hilarious and touching. You'll care for everyone by the third act, and will remain entertained until the very end. Unlike the average adult comedy, this one comes with a lot of values and adorable little moments that makes this worth watching more than once. Paul Rudd is a much underrated actor and entertainer, as we see him deliver on his first main comedic role. Here's to hoping we'll see much more of him in the near future. In the meantime, you'll do yourself some good by watching this gem."No, venti is twenty. Large is large. In fact, tall is large and grande is Spanish for large. Venti is the only one that doesn't mean large. It's also the only one that's Italian. Congratulations, you're stupid in three languages."
"Role Models" really works
posted on 04 Aug 2009My buddy Darin asked me regarding Director David Wain's "Role Models", "Why do you see movies like this?" I had mentioned that "Role Models" is extremely predictable. You have Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott, as two guys forced into community service work as Big Brothers or else face jail time. Of course when they first meet up with their respective charges, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Bobb'e J. Thompson, it is disastrous. Then for the remainder of the movie we are on edge wondering whether our selfish jerk heroes will transform into the paternal figures that were deep down inside. Okay, this is formulaic—unquestionably. However, the screenplay by Rudd, Ken Marino, and Timothy Dowling is ridiculously offensive as illustrated by some of the four letter rifts by Thompson as little Ronnie, but oddly and startlingly "Role Models" is heartwarming in spite of itself. A lot of it has to do with the brilliance of Jane Lynch as Big Brother Program Leader Gayle Sweeney—"Don't B.S. a bull sh**ter…", and the winning performances of Rudd and Scott In a wonderful scene, Rudd as Danny has dinner with Augie (Mintz-Plasse) and his Mother (Kerrie Kenney) and her boyfriend Jim (Ken Marino). It becomes transparent to Danny that Augie's family sucks. Augie is doing the best he can, and he is a good kid. Danny says, "Augie… You do what makes you happy!" So amidst the cheap and crass jokes, which really do work, "Role Models" gets it right. Okay, I buy into the sentimental manipulation. Although I think Wain and crew often opt for the cheap laughs, they have their hearts in the right place: All kids ought to be happy. Who would have guessed that given the outrageous setup? Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott play Danny and Wheeler, who are sale reps for the energy drink Minotaur. They visit different high schools and campuses with Wheeler dressed in a Minotaur suit. Danny hates his job and pretty much his life. One day his beautiful attorney girlfriend Beth (funny and charming Elizabeth Banks) finally dumps Danny. After all, Beth had to endure Danny's "My life sucks!" every single day. Danny goes completely nonlinear with Wheeler literally along for the ride, and the two are arrested and face up to 6 months in jail. Beth works her magic with the judge, and commutes their sentence to 180 hours of community service for a local Big Brothers program headed by Gayle (hysterical Jane Lynch).During the orientation Danny confesses that he would rather serve his prison term. Wheeler is matched with Ronnie (Thompson), who is a little gangster. He says to Wheeler, "I don't wanna take my pants off!" Shocked Wheeler says, "What?" Danny is matched with geeky Augie (Mintz-Plasse), who wears a cape and wields a plastic sword. Augie is a fan of some live action "Dungeons and Dragons" culture. Granted Wain and the writers gave more insight into the nuances of this culture than I really needed to know. However, the point being that Augie is sweet on young Sarah, who is also a participant. This does not escape the eye of mentor Danny. Wheeler is a player, and sleeps with all the hot women. Of course this is a great influence on the impressionable Ronnie. Scott as Wheeler has a hilarious naked tryst with a Big Sister on a camping trip."Role Models" really works because of Rudd and Scott. Their polarizing styles compliment. Rudd as Danny is the more sarcastic understated smart ass with the big heart. Scott nails the goofy party animal, who deep down really cares. To both their credits the transformation of their characters from selfish jerks to compassionate parents is nearly ridiculous, gratifying, and endearing. We can all kind of figure out how "Role Models" will work itself out, and Rudd, Scott, and Wain make it at least worth the wait.
Quite boring actually
posted on 29 Jul 2009In my opinion this movie is 1 hour and 40 minutes long pack of boring scenes with a merely 2-3 funny ones. I expected much more from this promising comedy with Seann William Scott who just failed to deliver it this time. I actually liked his earlier movies like American Pie 1 & 2 or 'Road Trip' but 'Role Models' isn't even a shadow compared to those movies.Maybe the funniest part of the movie is first 10 minutes, after that it has some cool funny moments, but when you watch almost every other scene you just feel like you're watching a big pile of trash. Not only that it isn't so funny but it also doesn't get to you in any way, and it really tries to do it by offering some reality situations and advices and so on...I recommend 'Role Models' to everyone who gets easily amused and whose idea of humor is very cheap and corny. Everyone normal who expects a "laugh until you cry" kind of movie that keeps audience interested...just pass this from a big distance.
Really enjoyed it despite reservations
posted on 30 Aug 2009Wheeler (Seann "Stifler" William Scott) and Danny (Paul Rudd) are co-workers promoting health drink Minotaur. This involves travelling around to schools where Wheeler wears a Minotaur suit and Danny delivers a pro-Minotaur and anti-drug message. The trouble is that Danny is very dissatisfied with life - he seems to be suffering an early mid-life crisis to the extent that his girlfriend moves out. This depresses him even further, resulting in an incident which leaves the two co-workers facing a choice - 30 days in jail or community service. Choosing community service, the two men find themselves sent to an agency which pairs them up with young people who need adult mentoring. Danny is paired with Augie, an awkward adolescent nerd with an overriding interest in LAIRE (a game which involves battle enactments while dressed in Dungeons and Dragons gear, which explains why Augie goes around wearing a cape), and Wheeler is paired with Ronnie, a black 12 year old with a preoccupation with sexual matters, especially breasts. Fortunately this coincides with Wheeler's own interests: less fortunately, it does not stop Ronnie's highly toxic attitude towards almost everything. And so a movie which is essentially a four-hander between the two men and their young charges begins to play out...I'm not thrilled about the proliferation of foul language in movies, and I'm even less thrilled about that language in the hands - or mouths - of young people. And there is a fair amount of that in this film. And yet I loved this movie.I think that this is because of the character development arcs through which Danny, Wheeler, Augie and Ronnie travelled. They all came across as believable people, and the effects they had on each other were both believable and rather heart-warming.And much of the film is very, very funny.All those involved perform well, but the two youngsters in particular give great performances (incidentally, someone should teach Mr and Mrs Thompson about apostrophes - Bobb'e is an unpronounceable affection and irritates me beyond measure), and Jane Lynch as agency boss Gayle gives us a very funny picture of a woman with one foot in the real world, and another somewhere else, I'm not sure where.For those interested in such things, the boobage factor is low in terms of screen duration but high in terms of quality.