Comedies about grown men acting like emotionally stunted adolescents seem to be ten a penny of late, with writer/director/producer Judd Apatow having had a hand in most. While Judd’s name doesn’t appear anywhere on Role Models credits, Apatow regular Paul Rudd once again steps up to the plate in the guise of another amiable manboy.
Rudd plays Danny, a 30-something slacker who lacks direction in life and has subsequently alienated his sweet but despairing girlfriend, Beth. When Danny and his work partner/pal,Wheeler (William-Scott) trash a tow truck during a work excursion, they find themselves facing some responsibility when they are forced to enrol in a ‘Big Brother’ programme. As part of their community service they are both assigned a problematic kid to mentor, with Wheeler ending up with a foul-mouthed wise-ass (Thompson), while Danny is charged with looking after uber-nerd and fantasy role-playing enthusiast, Augie (Mintz-Plasse).
While we’ve come to expect better from this assemblage of comedy talent (everyone present has seen better days), the unexceptional but mildly enjoyable set-up does allow numerous moments of comedic flair, from the battlefield folly of the fantasy role-playing game to Jane Lynch’s hilarious stint as a child helper with a sordid past. Rudd and William-Scott coast through the proceedings on their natural on-screen charm, but they’ve both been far funnier elsewhere.
The mediocre comedy is supported by a half decent selection of special features on the DVD, including a talky audio commentary from director and co-writer, David Wain. The in-character featurettes include a trio of mock interviews/’promotional reels’ for a few of the supporting characters, and there’s a long list of Deleted Scenes/Alternate Takes (19 in all) to plough though.
An ‘On Set’ featurette functions as a generic on-set visit complete with behind the scenes chat, and the ‘Game On’ featurette dares to enter the weird and wonderful world of fantasy role playing (of the ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ kind, as opposed to ‘Doctors and Nurses’).
Overall Verdict:
A mildly enjoyable comedy, but everyone involved has seen better days.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Director/Co-Writer David Wain
Deleted Scenes/Alternate Takes
Bloopers
‘On The Set’ Featurette
‘Game On’ Featurette
‘In-Character’ Featurettes
Reviewer: Lee Griffiths