DVD Reviews

Role Models

• Rating:
• Director: David Wain
• Starring: Christopher Mintz-Plasse
• Details: USA / 99mins / (16)

Paul Rudd is finally given a bash at leading man status as he plays Danny, a sardonic, cantankerous employee of an energy drink company, who is generally angry at the world because his life hasn't turned out quite how he imagined. His best friend Wheeler (Scott) on the other hand, enjoys his job as a 'promotional Minotaur ' (as he can "do it hungover") and doesn't understand why Danny hates it so much. Life essentially involves the mismatched twosome going from school to school, lecturing kids on how much better Minotaur is than drugs, as y'know, it has juice in it too. But when Danny commits a serious driving offence, both are forced to partake in a big brother programme - where they're given the option of mentoring some troubled kids, or serving 30 days in prison. Comedies by their very nature should not be complicated affairs; plot can generally get in the way of laughs, as the audience try to figure out what is going on and miss out on the jokes. Role Models is simplicity personified, its basic setup aided by an irreverent, funny script and a brilliant performance by Paul Rudd. Sure, it's crass as hell and has a 10-year-old cursing like a drunken sailor having caught pipe while zipping up his fly - but it also has heart. And not the Hollywood, pappy heart, either - the kind-of, sort-of, real heart. Scott has been looking for a breakout hit since he became etched into public consciousness as Stifler in the American Pie trilogy, and here gracefully plays the foil to many gags, resulting in his funniest turn in years. He may not have the improvisational skills of Rudd, but he comedy comes from a different place and the two complement each other well. Youngster Thompson almost steals every scene that he's in, while McLovin' himself (Christopher Plasse), is showing a deft hand at picking winning projects. While not quite in the same league as some of the Judd Apatow stuff Rudd has done (it wastes the talents of Elizabeth Banks), this is a very funny comedy that will offend and amuse in equal measure.

Review by Mike Sheridan