Role Models

Herald rating:

* * * *

Verdict:

Formulaic but a heck of a lot of fun.

You'd be forgiven for assuming

Role Models

is just another irreverent, crude comedy about a couple of immature man-child characters. It is, but it also happens to be a very funny and entertaining one.

Depressed and bored, Danny Donahue (Rudd) and his skirt-chasing colleague Wheeler (Scott) are two slackers who market energy drinks to schoolkids and are doing community service after a spot of road rage.

They become mentors at a Big Brother-like organisation called Sturdy Wings where Danny is paired with geek medieval role-play enthusiast Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Wheeler takes on pint-sized foulmouth Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson).

The gag is, of course, that the two mentors are more immature than the teenagers for whom they're responsible. And while you can see how this is all going to unfold from a long way out, director David Wain keeps it moving at a fast pace and all the performances have an edge that helps keep things fresh.

The best thing about

Role Models

is when Danny and Wheeler do finally take responsibility for their behaviour. They don't have an epiphany. They don't undergo a major personality change. They remain the losers they are, and simply do the right thing for a change.

Paul Rudd announces his film screenwriting talent, the script comes with much compassion and charm and knows not to succumb to a mushy Hollywood ending.

- Francesca Rudkin

Cast:

Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks

Director:

David Wain

Running time:

101 mins

Rating:

R16 (Contains sexual references and offensive language)

Screening:

Hoyts, SkyCity and Berkeley Cinemas