Movie Review: Role Models

By / November 20, 2008 /

It’s hard to be funny. Ask any good comic and they will all tell you the same thing. Being funny is serious business. It seems like we’ve been hit from all sides with movie studios trying to bring the funny. It makes sense after all. In general, comedy films are cheap to produce and if you get a hit…well, the studios are rolling in some serious cash. That’s nothing to laugh at. There has been a big resurrection of comedies in the last few years. From Superbad to 40 Year Old Virgin…they make us laugh, but we kind of feel guilty about it. It’s low brow humor to be sure, but with a little more substance than the old “coming of age” comedies from the 80’s and 90’s.

We finally had the chance to sneak into a screening of Role Models and we were pleasantly surprised. We actually laughed out loud with everyone else and didn’t have that guilty aftertaste in our mouth. Part of the reason, is that it’s co-written and stars Paul Rudd, who has long been a hero of ours. He has a subtle delivery and believability that slam dunks with every line. Paul Rudd is an actor first and comic second…in a good way. He is able to convey the emotion of the scene that helps us believe what he’s saying. Paul portrays the bitter guy whose life didn’t pan out exactly as planned in this film. We sympathize with him and it makes his plight even funnier. As every good comedian will tell you…make them cry first and then make them laugh.

But, Paul Rudd isn’t alone on his feature-film journey. Sean William Scott plays his best friend. Mr. Scott plays off Rudd well and they seem to have a true camaraderie that works excellent on screen. Like any good buddy picture they have a challenge to face and this one is no exception. They are forced to become big brothers for some wayward delinquent kids to stay out of prison. High jinks ensue.

It’s hard to say what brings the most laughs. Perhaps, it’s Paul Rudd’s character love of the band “Kiss.” Maybe, it’s Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s love of playing out live dungeons and dragon battles. Or, maybe, it’s just Sean Scott wearing a very stupid Minotaur costume. All of it combined definitely won’t leave a lasting impression, but it will make you laugh out of your seat.

We say it’s worth the effort. Take a two hour break today, grab a big diet coke and laugh it up.