Role Models

Danny and Wheeler aren’t Role Models, but they are motivated. I wanted so badly to hate Role Models for the shallow jokes, but its sweet story won me over.

Wheeler (Sean William Scott), a slacker womanizer and Danny (Paul Rudd) a self absorbed Debbie Downer, work together for an energy drink company. One day, Danny has a mental breakdown and commits an act so heinous, the best their lawyer, Beth (Elizabeth Banks) could do was for both to be sentenced to 150 hours of community service at the judge’s favorite charity, Sturdy Wings. Danny is assigned to Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), a reclusive geek who aspires to greatness. Wheeler is assigned to Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson), a little kid with a big dirty mouth.

Pre-adolescent jokes about sex permeate Role Models. There is no shortage of gay, almost gay, and gay animal jokes. You can’t go ten minutes without tripping over a homosexual speed bump. Heterosexual coitis jokes come almost as often, especially from Wheeler and his kid, Ronnie. Almost every time they grace the screen there is some sort of sexually-charged banter.

Despite all of the sexualization, Role Models never becomes inappropriate for a twelve year old. In fact, wrapped up in their juvenile discussions about boobs or chasing tail, is a man trying to impart his wisdom on a kid, and affectionately caring for his sassy, gregarious buddy. Paul and Augie are no less tender. Augie is awkward and a bit strange but loveable. Paul isn’t the best fit for Augie, but their discomfort is sometimes very loving.

Yes, Role Models is stupid, sure it is idiotic, to call it moronic would be a kindness, but it is not an unrewarding brand of foolhardy. Their interactions offer the youngsters something of substance but more importantly, they offer the men who refuse to grow up something more valuable, some much needed perspective.

Not all the character’s idiosyncrasies are appreciated. Jane Sweeny, who plays Gayle Sweeny, the head of Sturdy Wings is unrelentingly annoying. When she comes on screen, without fail, I wanted to take a chisel to my gums. She is supposed to be annoying but she takes it to such an extreme that even looking at her makes you want to put her in a blender and pulse. Is it a crime to pulse the irritating?

Role Models reminds me of baklava. Role Models is chalked with nuts, really bad for the waistline, and a little hard to eat, but the honey pastry tickles the sweetest parts of the taste buds.

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