Three out of
Five stars
Running time:
98 mins
Enjoyable comedy with likeable characters, strong comic performances and several big laughs, though it's also entirely predictable from start to finish.
What's it all about?
Role Models stars Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott (teaming on screen for the first time) as Danny and Wheeler, two energy drink salesmen who trash a company truck after Danny gets dumped by his girlfriend (Elizabeth Banks) and flips out. The judge gives them a choice between jail or community service, so they wind up in the Sturdy Wings program and have to act as mentors to two troubled kids: nerdy adolescent Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and foul-mouthed fifth grader Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson).
Closely monitored by the program's ex-addict / ex-con director Gayle (Jane Lynch), Danny and Wheeler have no choice but to knuckle down. For Danny, this entails indulging Augie's obsession with medieval role-play, while Wheeler has his hands full with the hyperactive Ronnie, particularly when he takes him to a keg party and loses sight of him.
The Good
Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott make an excellent onscreen comedy duo – here's hoping they team up again in the near future. Both actors are on top comic form here, delivering several hilarious one-liners and sparking off each other nicely.
There's also strong comic support from a superb cast that includes the always-reliable Jane Lynch (nabbing a fair portion of the laughs on offer as Gayle), Superbad's Mintz-Plasse (essentially McLovin' without the confidence) and the pint-sized Thompson, who proves a true comedy find, particularly when dissing Danny by calling him Ben Affleck.
The Bad
The main problem with the film is that the plot is both predictable and simplistic, to the point where it actually gets a little boring. Similarly, the climax doesn't quite convince and the script also sidelines a potentially interesting subplot in the shape of Augie's potential love interest (Allie Stamler as Esplen).
Worth seeing?
Role Models is a likeable comedy that succeeds thanks to likeable leads and a strong comic cast, though it's ultimately too predictable to make much of an impression.