Seen on: November 7, 2008

The players: Director: David Wain, Writers: Paul Rudd, Tom McGrath, Ken Marino, Timothy Dowling, Cast: Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jane Lynch, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Bobb'e J. Thompson

Facts of interest: David Wain also directed last year's "The Ten."

The plot: After engaging in an act of vandalism and destruction of property, Wheeler and Danny are given a chance to avoid jail if they join Sturdy Wings, a program that encourages friendships between adults and lonely children.

Our thoughts: If you’re planning to have a good time at the movies this weekend, you may want to look up to Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, because in David Wain’s surprisingly refreshing new comedy “Role Models,” the two actors deliver quite an enjoyable show by struggling to entertain two hyperactive youngsters.

But let me start at the beginning. The film introduces us to Wheeler (Scott) and Danny (Rudd), two co-workers whose job it is to promote the new “Minotaur” energy drink during anti-drug speeches at local schools. It’s quite the easy job if you think about it, and while Wheeler couldn’t ask for more to be happy, Danny hates everything about it.

In fact, Danny hates pretty much everything about his life, so when his girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth Banks) finally decides to move out, he’s bound for the worst day ever. Indeed, just a couple of hours and a hilarious outburst later, he and Wheeler find themselves facing prison time for destruction of school property and vandalism.

Instead of sending them to jail, however, the judge gives them the option of completing community service at Study Wings, a program that tries to enhance the lives of lonely kids by encouraging friendships with adults. While Danny teams up with Augie, a teenager who’s got a thing for role-paying games, Wheeler is in charge of watching over little Ronnie, a vulgar fellow who’s got a big thing for boobies.

Essentially, the story line itself is not necessarily the best thing about “Role Models.” Most of the film is quite predictable, following Danny and Wheeler as they struggle to keep up with their new friends at first but then slowly start to win over their trust and respect. Of course, the kids also help the two grown-ups get a new perspective on life, introducing them to a world in which real friendship can cause happiness.

Still, despite this rather simplistic plot, Wain’s film still succeeds to offer viewers a darn good time. The real fun here clearly stems from all the hilarious dialogue, which is utterly vulgar but brings along a solid entertainment value. Generating the most laughs are obviously Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Bobb’e J. Thompson, who deliver one funny line after another as Augie and Ronnie.

Thompson is the highlight of the entire movie, delivering profanity after profanity while Wheeler teaches him how to be a real booby watcher. I know this may not be the most conventional way for an adult and a child to bond, but hey, it’s hilarious and it works. Hilarious is also the film’s final part, during which all four protagonists show us what they got on the role-playing battlefield.

Rudd, who recently starred in the horrible “Over her Dead Body,” turns in a solid, credible performance as Danny, hater of all things. Wheeler is the more optimistic guy, and Scott proves he’s really comfortable in this role. It’s good to see him be funny on the big screen again, because honestly, he hasn’t really done anything worth remembering in quite some time.

Freaky quote: “Fuck you, Miss Daisy." – Bobb'e J. Thompson

The final word: “Role Models” is a silly film with only a few surprises, but its dialogues and refreshing cast put it right up there with the few highly entertaining comedies of the year. It’s pure, dumb fun, but it works… and that doesn’t happen all too often.

Article by Franck Tabouring