Role Models (***)

ROLE MODELS
Directed by David Wain



***

Role Models is a nifty little comedy. It holds a formulaic plot, but not the kind that makes you gag, but the kind that draws attention to the plot and not the formula. Despite popular belief, this is not one of the many films micromanaged by the sleepless Judd Apatow, but a film done by Wet Hot American Summer director David Wain. Like American Summer, Role Models has a hilarious side and a sweet side, and neither side ever has to be sacrificed for the other.

The plot focuses on Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Sean William Scott), a pair of underachieving young men who work for a company that processes the powerful energy drink Minotaur. Their job entitles them to travel from school to school, and while Danny preaches to the students how drinking a Minotaur can help them stay off drugs, Wheeler participates by dressing in a minotaur costume and prancing around, shouting "Minotaur! Taste the beast!". Wheeler is perfectly fine with his station in life, but Danny is essentially depressed with his job and life.

To make matters worse for Danny, he is dumped by his girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth Banks--holy christ, this girl is in everything lately), because she no longer wants to deal with his constant crankiness (a conversation about the dubious size names at Starbucks is particularly hilarious). Danny's anger boils over when he and Wheeler drive their Minotaur truck onto a statue, and they are both arrested. Since Beth is a lawyer, she is able to negotiate with the judge so they don't have to serve jail time, but commit to community service at Sturdy Wings, where they have to look after lonely, troubled young boys.

Sturdy Wings is run by the startling open Gayle (the hilarious Jane Lynch), who works there after recovering from a nasty drug addiction. Gayle assigns Danny to Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse aka "McLovin"), a teenage nerd who lives only to play LAIRE, a sort of live-action cross of World of Warcraft and Dungeons and Dragons. Wheeler is assigned to Ronnie (Bobb'E J. Thompson), a prebuscent boy with a flair for four-letter words, and a constant thirst for mischief. The two debate about what is more torturous, dealing with these two phishers or going to jail, but over time, they find their times with the boys to be a virtuous one.

The reason why this movie is such a pleasure, is because (unlike say, Zack and Miri) it presents its comedy on a visceral level. There are no sight gags, and it felt so good to watch a modern comedy that didn't have a major character get kicked in the nuts. Instead, the comedy comes out of the depths of characters' psyche, and with two comedic actors the likes of Rudd and Scott, the story is allowed to run wild, while all the time running right on time. There is never a debate about where the story is going, or who will get the girl, because it takes solace in its comedic givings, not in its plot contrivances.

Not that there aren't contrivances, but it's something we're able to get over pretty quickly. This is a super-light film, and though its profanity and minor sexual content may state otherwise, it's just as cuddly as any Sandra Bullock romantic comedy. The best, most funny, moments within the film come from scenes involving Augie and Danny's involvement in LAIRE, where all the participants partake in medieval warfare, and play it with the utmost seriousness. When you're stabbed with the rubber sword, you're dead, and no one dare break that rule.

This is probably the first film that I've ever seen in which I saw Sean William Scott in a major role that was actually funny (though his minor cameo within Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is still one of the funniest things I've ever seen). Watching him school the foul-mouthed Ronnie in the arts of watching female breasts and listening to KISS is hilarious. Rudd also does a good job playing the kind of character that has become his bread-and-butter over the last few years. His career has always been based on the contrast between his boyish good lucks, and the words that fall out of his mouth.

Role Models is an adult film striving to be children's comedy. To be sure, with a few edits here and there, I don't think this film would be so off limits for young children to see. Part of its charm lies within its precociousness. Steady performances by Rudd and Scott, enhanced by brilliant comedic turns by Lynch and Thompson is a perfect equation for a successful comedy. You leave the theater with nothing, really, but satisfaction.