"Role Models"

By: Matt Duncan
Coastal View News

Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd wed coarseness with wit as they attempt to transform from immature hooligans into thoughtful albeit court-ordered philanthropists in “Role Models.” A warranted but frustrating comeuppance turns out well for the pair by eliciting both reparation and moral development. A hackneyed storyline is the true misdemeanor here, but this crime is atoned for by inconsistent yet witty laughs.

Danny Donahue (Paul Rudd) is a self-aware, underachieving spokesman for Minotaur energy drink, who begrudgingly visits schools to urge kids to drink the semi-toxic energy drink instead of doing drugs. Wheeler (Seann William Scott) is Danny’s immature sidekick dressed in a Minotaur costume who, unlike Danny, has no desire to pursue a more meaningful career or lifestyle. Born out of ubiquitous frustration, it is Danny’s immature behavior, not Wheeler’s, that ends up costing Danny not only his longtime girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth Banks), but also both Danny and Wheeler their jobs and standing with the law.

As the result of a day of Danny’s reckless behavior, both he and Wheeler are sentenced to 150 hours of community service at a big brother agency called Sturdy Wings. However, jail time begins to look rather rosy next to the combination of an insane supervisor (Jane Lynch) and two of the most difficult kids to mentor. A difficult situation quickly becomes a nightmare. Wheeler is forced to contend with hell-raiser extraordinaire, Ronnie (Bobb’e Thompson), and Danny is assigned the geeky, foam-sword-wielding Auggie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse).

As is to be expected, both Danny and Wheeler are inept and uninterested at first, but the challenges they are forced to face bring about soul searching and a behavioral turnaround. Wheeler learns that there is more to life than skirt chasing and drinking, while Danny learns to appreciate other people for who they are instead of expecting everyone to see the world as he does. Four characters, all in a uniquely bad place in life, come together to both accept and change who they are. It is when each abandon their own well-being in favor of the group that each begins to thrive.

If “Role Models” is not completely unoriginal, this film at least gives the appearance of being built on an oft-used Hollywood assembly line. Six writers penned “Role Models” (rarely a very good thing), which means that this comedy was not so much focused on unity of voice or a strong narrative as much as it was focused on one-liners and situational humor. The result is a noticeably slapped-together set of scenes.

However, most moviegoers do not go to a comedy, especially one like “Role Models,” for a powerful story as much as they go for a good laugh. If the story is great, so much the better, but as long as the film is non-stop funny, all is well. Unfortunately it is not so easy to partition laughs from a storyline, especially when situational humor requires building steam to get moving. Danny and Wheeler are meant to be humorously stuck between a rock and a hard place, but this aspect of the film is rarely funny. What are funny are the jokes and one-liners, particularly the ones delivered by Paul Rudd and Jane Lynch. Rudd’s sarcasm and wit are believable and charming, even if they are painful to witness. Seann William Scott draws a few laughs, but not many.

“Role Models” is better than most other comedies similarly conceived, but certainly not a classic. Expect to laugh out loud, but don’t expect to remember it the next day.

“Role Models” is rated R for crude and sexual content, strong language and nudity.