Role Models - 2009

I unashamedly love Paul Rudd. He first came to my attention when he was getting some of the best lines on Friends as Phoebe's boyfriend and later husband. But since Anchorman and The 40 Year Old Virgin he is usually to funniest supporting character in anything he features in. Thankfully he has been given a lead, and Role Models is it. Not a great film, but a solid, hilarious romp in which he plans a cynical miserablist. A type of humour I think I respond to. Not zany, wacky or downright ridiculous like so many contemporary comedians are, Paul Rudd is understated and instantly likeable.
As for Roles Models, its really Rudd's film, Sean William Scott, his co star is good, funny and entertaining, but he is trading on his screen image (something Rudd could equally be accused of), and he plays the dumber, less inspired of the two characters.
The premise is simple. After a pathetic proposal to his girlfriend (Elisabeth Banks), Danny (Rudd) is dumped, then after a poor demonstration for energy drink Minotaur, he becomes victim of community service to avoid the prison sentence. His job, to be role models for children from backgrounds which have left them unhappy or neglected.
The film provides a belly full of laughs from the relationships formed between the adults (a loose term) and the kids, played brilliantly and for the most effective comedic effect by Christopher Mintz-Plaisse and Bobb's J Thompson.
The film will never be considered a classic, but can not be faulted for a good friday or saturday comedy which will give you some intelligent humour, but mainly just crude innuendos and stupidity personified. Which is some ways is the best comedy you can hope for from any film.
So what's next Mr. Rudd, given a writing credit for Role Models, I would hope to see more material catered for his brand of sarcastic humour. He's an actor who deserves time and a platform to demonstrate his brilliance.
I for one will be queuing up in a jovial mood to watch his next film.