Directed by: David Wain
Starring: Elisabeth Banks, Jane Lynch, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Bobb’e J. Thompson
Rating: R

Jane Lynch, Seann William Scott, and Bobb’e J. Thompson in Role Models. (Courtesy photo)

On the surface Role Models looks like a typical raunchy comedy starring two decidedly junior varsity stars. Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott have starred in about a dozen films combined, and not a one has been a hit. It’s reasonable to keep your expectations low. It’s also quite likely you’ll be very pleasantly surprised. Role Models exceeds all expectations. I laughed so much I finally settled into a steady, constant chuckle. Role Models is yet another comedy geared toward men, but it’s funny enough and good-natured enough to appeal to women as well. Don’t misunderstand: Role Models is crass and juvenile. It isn’t a film for comedy-lovers of all ages. But if juvenilia can be called brainy, this is it.

Danny and Wheeler (Rudd and Scott) go around to schools telling kids to stay off drugs and drink their company’s energy drink. Wheeler loves their job, Danny hates it. In fact, Danny seems to hate most everything. His negativity has finally become too much for his girlfriend Beth (Elisabeth Banks). She breaks up with him, he responds by driving the company truck into a statue, and suddenly Danny and Wheeler are forced to do community service to stay out of jail. They’re sent to Sturdy Wings, a big-brother-style program run by Gayle Sweeny (Jane Lynch). Gayle gives the men her two most challenging kids. Danny is partnered with nerdy Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), whose only interest is role-playing in a medieval club. Wheeler is matched with Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson), a young black kid with endless methods of driving grown-ups away. The guys can barely survive being with the kids, and vice-versa, but Danny knows he must follow through if he’s going to win back Beth.

Until seven years ago, Paul Rudd was lending his blandly handsome face to bland roles in movies like Romeo + Juliet, Cider House Rules, and Object of My Affection. Then he got cast as a studly camp counselor in the uneven but delightful Wet Hot American Summer. Rudd was genuinely funny, creating the persona of a sharp-tongued layabout faintly amused by the stupidity of the world. And thus the new Paul Rudd was born. Next came his unforgettable Brian Fantana in Anchorman, and for the past five years Rudd has been stealing every comedy he’s in. Re-teaming with Wet Hot director David Wain and other members of the comedy group The State, Rudd has found his first tailor-made leading role. It’s also the first script to which Rudd has officially contributed, though many of his improvisations have clearly found their way into his movies. This means there’s more faintly amused, sharp-tongued commentary on the stupidity of the world than ever, and that makes for a very funny movie. It helps that Seann William Scott has his best role since his debut in American Pie, and that the surprisingly tidy little script doses out appropriate amounts of sentiment and romance. Scott might have made Wheeler bounce off walls, but instead he plays the dimwitted, bighearted guy with surprising restraint. He’s more likable than ever, and his comic timing is very good. Christopher Mintz-Plasse varies the beanpole nerd he played in last year’s Superbad by making Augie more awkward and more sweet. The stringy, scratchy-voiced actor has cornered the market on these parts. Young Bobb’e J. Thompson, nearly the only good thing in the abysmal Idlewild, has truly impressive comic moves for an 11-year-old kid. All four actors really are terrific.

Okay, this all seems a little much for a silly comedy like Role Models. It’s hardly a masterpiece. The comedy consistently veers into the unnecessarily crude. The editing is abrupt at times, and the timeline is hard to follow. But it just goes to show how much good will you earn when you made an audience laugh this much. Ten years after he was given up on as a leading man, Rudd has finally found his place. Hopefully there will be more to come.

Alex Manugian lives in Sherman Oaks, California. He grew up in Groton and has reviewed movies for Harvard residents for many years.