Rated R. Click here to view the trailer.Role Models is a hopeful, funny little movie with a great personality. It's just that it hides behind an such abrasive front, that I didn't notice it until the brilliant and inspired final act. It's a lot like the children asigned to "big brothers" Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd: They all might take a little coaxing to come out of their shell, but there's something worth loving in there. On three, everybody: Awwwwwwwwwwwww.
Danny (Rudd) and Wheeler (Scott) are two energy drink salesmen who go around with a distinct lack of energy as they peddle their noxious "Minotaur" at area schools. Wheeler is an optimistic slacker who enjoys the fact that he can do his job well while hungover and/or high, which is one of the few perks of dressing like a minotaur all day. Danny is a depressed underachiever who is having trouble with his lawyer girlfriend (Elizabeth Banks), his job, the local coffee shop, a surly tow truck driver and pretty much the rest of the world.
After a particularly bad day, they run afoul the law and are faced with two options: 30 days jail, or 150 hours of community service with Sturdy Wings, a Big Brothers, Big Sisters knock-off run by former coke-fiend Jane Lynch. Danny is assigned to Augie (the perpetually congested McLovin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse), a nerd of epic proportions who lives for medieval reenactment/role playing events . Wheeler's young charge is Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson), an incredibly "challenging" 10-year-old who is every adult's nightmare. The "Bigs" and "Littles" venture out into the world together and hilarity ensues. But here's the thing: Hilarity actually ensues. I know. I was just as surprised as you.
It's those genuine laughs and again, the surprise third act, that pull it all together. The cast is superb and they milk the script (co-written by Rudd) for all it's worth. Rudd has a goofy smile and wry delivery that would make you laugh as he read a Waffle House menu, and Scott is just enough of a wise-cracking jerk to be a really great, really funny friend. Mintz-Plasse and Thompson bring depth to what could have easily been throw away roles and Jane Lynch, well, God bless her, she's just awesome.
Sure, we see where things are going (Bigs and Littles dislike/distrust each other initially, they go on various adventures, slowly bond, there's a crisis where they "break up," then they eventually form a friendship stronger than any court order as the closing credits roll). That's mostly the case here, but there are actual, genuine laughs along the away and there's a surprise final act that I don't think anyone in their right mind saw coming. There are hints along the way, but it's just so out there that it's still a surprise. Who knew that was still possible in today's movie world? Kudos to Rudd and his writing partners for playing things close to the chest then springing things on us at the exact right time.
Yes, it deserves its R rating, but beyond its crass facade, Role Models is pretty warm and cuddly inside.
Danny (Rudd) and Wheeler (Scott) are two energy drink salesmen who go around with a distinct lack of energy as they peddle their noxious "Minotaur" at area schools. Wheeler is an optimistic slacker who enjoys the fact that he can do his job well while hungover and/or high, which is one of the few perks of dressing like a minotaur all day. Danny is a depressed underachiever who is having trouble with his lawyer girlfriend (Elizabeth Banks), his job, the local coffee shop, a surly tow truck driver and pretty much the rest of the world.
After a particularly bad day, they run afoul the law and are faced with two options: 30 days jail, or 150 hours of community service with Sturdy Wings, a Big Brothers, Big Sisters knock-off run by former coke-fiend Jane Lynch. Danny is assigned to Augie (the perpetually congested McLovin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse), a nerd of epic proportions who lives for medieval reenactment/role playing events . Wheeler's young charge is Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson), an incredibly "challenging" 10-year-old who is every adult's nightmare. The "Bigs" and "Littles" venture out into the world together and hilarity ensues. But here's the thing: Hilarity actually ensues. I know. I was just as surprised as you.
It's those genuine laughs and again, the surprise third act, that pull it all together. The cast is superb and they milk the script (co-written by Rudd) for all it's worth. Rudd has a goofy smile and wry delivery that would make you laugh as he read a Waffle House menu, and Scott is just enough of a wise-cracking jerk to be a really great, really funny friend. Mintz-Plasse and Thompson bring depth to what could have easily been throw away roles and Jane Lynch, well, God bless her, she's just awesome.
Sure, we see where things are going (Bigs and Littles dislike/distrust each other initially, they go on various adventures, slowly bond, there's a crisis where they "break up," then they eventually form a friendship stronger than any court order as the closing credits roll). That's mostly the case here, but there are actual, genuine laughs along the away and there's a surprise final act that I don't think anyone in their right mind saw coming. There are hints along the way, but it's just so out there that it's still a surprise. Who knew that was still possible in today's movie world? Kudos to Rudd and his writing partners for playing things close to the chest then springing things on us at the exact right time.
Yes, it deserves its R rating, but beyond its crass facade, Role Models is pretty warm and cuddly inside.
No comments:
Post a Comment