ROLE MODELS
CAROLINE: I took it upon myself to see “Role Models,” a very funny new comedy, because I love the cast which includes Paul Rudd, Jane Lynch and Elizabeth Banks.
RYAN: I love them all too. How were they?
CAROLINE: Well, technically the two stars of the movie are Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, who play co-workers. Elizabeth Banks is Paul’s girlfriend who’s a successful lawyer. It was fun to see her in a role like that; we don’t get to see her business attire very often in movies and I liked it.
RYAN: This is her third film to come out in the last month. It’s crazy!
CAROLINE: I know. Of course, when she’s filming all these movies, she has no idea when they’re going to be released, so it’s just a coincidence.
RYAN: She’s gonna be famous up in here!
CAROLINE: She’s doing well, that’s for sure. Overall, this is a cute, funny movie with a silly premise. The two guys get arrested and their community service is basically to be Big Brothers to these young boys. Jane Lynch plays the head of the mentoring program. It’s all very silly and over-the-top, but there are several laugh-out-loud moments.
RYAN: How good do Paul and Seann look?
CAROLINE: Both look fabulous. I’ve never been a huge Seann William Scott fan, but he’s rather in shape.
RYAN: He’s a little too buff.
CAROLINE: Paul Rudd is adorable. Is it me or has he stopped aging? He looks great. He’s pushing 40, but you’d never know it. The two boys they mentor are also very funny. One is a foul-mouthed 10-year-old and the other is McLovin from “Superbad” who’s into this fantasy world where people dress like “Braveheart” and stage battles. It’s almost like a Renaissance Fair or something.
RYAN: I like that stuff. I’m sorry I missed this screening. It sounds like a good comedy; maybe better than some other recent ones.
CAROLINE: It’s definitely better than “Zack and Miri Make a Porno.” It has its raunchy moments with a few boobs here and there, but it’s mostly just cute. The foulest language in the movie comes from the 10-year-old, which is very funny. It’s a goofy flick, but it made me laugh.
RYAN: Interestingly, it has no involvement from Judd Apatow, Steve Carrell or Will Ferrell.
CAROLINE: Correct. It’s directed by David Wain, formerly of MTV’s “The State,” which I used to love and watch obsessively. So tons of folks from “The State” have roles in the movie, which I loved. David Wain and Paul Rudd co-wrote this by the way. It’s got that Judd Apatow sensibility to it, so if you’ve enjoyed his movies or “The State,” you will definitely like this movie.
RYAN: Bottom line?
CAROLINE: It’s a cute, funny film, but I wouldn’t say you have to run out and see it in the theater. It’s enjoyable, but it could definitely be a rental. There are some really big Oscar contenders coming out very soon, so you can see those in the theater and wait for this one on DVD.