FILM REVIEW: Role Models

It's not very often that I like a movie. I'm often left deflated when trailers fail to manifest the masterpieces they promote. Word of mouth often builds momentum that I fail feel during actual screenings. I find myself yawning before the first act break, and checking my messages before all the characters are introduced. Too often, movies just aren't that good.

But then a movie like Role Models comes around...

Wheeler (Seann William Scott) and Danny (Paul Rudd) are sentenced to 150 hours of community service after they mounted a stallion statue with a souped up promotions truck. Their service lies in mentoring a couple of misfit children. Augie Farks (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) sets records for social awkwardness. Ronnie Shields (Bobb'e J. Thompson) is a street thug trapped in an 8 year old body. And neither Danny nor Wheeler have a clue how to relate to them.

And comedy ensues...

Wizard festivals, a Kiss obsession, pot parties and kinky campouts somehow mesh together as these two men travel their arcs from irresponsible slackers to near father figures. Each manages to befriend the child entrusted to them for 150 hours in unlikely and unethical ways. By the time the credits roll, each player in the quartet has gained a friend and a new lease on life. And everyone feels all warm and fuzzy.

But that doesn't ruin the film.  

This is one of those movies that can go one way or the other very quickly. You see the trailer, and you might think you've seen the whole film. Nine times out of 10 you'd be right. Not in this case. Each joke in the trailer is literally just a preview to the raunchy realism that fills the two hour span of the film. Audiences have only just been given a taste of what's to come.

This film is so well crafted, from the first frame to the final credits, every detail plays a part. It seems as though nothing is thrown away, as more and more aspects tie these characters together. It's a comedy... it doesn't have to fit together like pieces in a puzzle, but it does. That's what makes this a keeper.

Paul Rudd portrays the sarcastic, jaded Danny to perfection. His comedic timing with Scott should be used in training manuals. Scott plays a "Stifler" like character, but manages to add enough depth to give the sense of an actor who's really grown. Jane Lynch is the kind of funny that makes you shoot soda out of your nose. Who saw that coming? Elizabeth Banks plays Elizabeth banks, but she fits right in with this wildly funny ensemble.

But the stars here lie in the youth of the film. Mintz-Plasse and Thompson really raise the bar for young actors. Both are so incredibly funny, one can't help but wonder how actors this young can possibly be this aware of their talents. They both utilize all their skills and become their characters so totally it's astounding. These guys are truly actors to watch.

In short... This is a really good comedy. It takes elements from romantic and romantic comedies, buddy biddy flicks and feel good films and makes a new kind of movie that we can all enjoy - finally -- a good one.

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Josh Gloer, Movie Correspondent

You can find Josh's column One Harsh Critic, published every other Sunday. Tuesday, Wednesday... Who can tell at this point? at http://oneharshcritic.gather.com.

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