Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #301 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-05-11
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 95 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Raunchy, but not nauseating, Role Models is an exceptionally funny slacker comedy co-written by Paul Rudd. Rudd stars as Danny, one-half of a team (along with Seann William Scott's character, Wheeler) that visits schools on behalf of a power-drink company. With his lack of enthusiasm for work and his life painfully evident, Danny loses his live-in girlfriend, Beth (Elizabeth Banks), and soon has a run-in with the law resulting in community service for him and Wheeler. Ordered to appear at a Big Brothers-like organisation, Danny is partnered with a lonely if brilliant adolescent boy, Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), while Wheeler is hooked up with a foul-mouthed pre-teen named Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson). Neither of the men has anything in common with their charges, a fact exacerbated when Danny reluctantly attends Augie's participation in a weekend role-playing fantasy game with a medieval flavour. Meanwhile, Wheeler just tries to survive his ongoing power struggle with Ronnie. Both sets of relationships improve when Danny and Wheeler begin to meet their kids halfway and even learn to empathise with them, though the results are sometimes comically bumpy before the characters all hit their groove. There are a number of hilarious scenes (the film definitely deserves its R rating) and more than a few thoughtful ones, including a terrific moment where Danny defends Augie to the latter's critical parents over an awkward dinner. Jane Lynch is very funny as a semi-insane director of the program pairing kids and adults, and Banks (W.) is very appealing as Danny's unhappy ex-girlfriend. --Tom Keogh

DVD Description
Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott star in Role Models as Danny and Wheeler, two salesmen who trash a company truck on an energy drink-fuelled bender. Upon their arrest, the court gives them a choice: do hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship programme. After one day with the kids, however, jail doesn't look half bad.

Surrounded by annoying do-gooders, Danny struggles with his every neurotic impulse to guide Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) through the trials of becoming a man. Unfortunately, the guy just dumped by his girlfriend (Elizabeth Banks) has only sarcasm to offer a bashful 16-year-old obsessed with medieval role play.

Meanwhile, charming Wheeler tries to trade in an addiction to partying and women to assist a fifth-grader named Ronnie (Bobb'e Thompson) to redirect his foul-mouthed ways. It would probably help if Ronnie's new mentor wasn't an overgrown adolescent whose idea of quality time includes keggers in Venice Beach.

Once the centre's ex-con director (Jane Lynch) gives them an ultimatum, Danny and Wheeler are forced to tailor their brand of immature wisdom to their charges. And if they can just make it through probation without getting thrown in jail, the world's worst role models will prove that, sometimes, it takes a village idiot to raise a child.

Synopsis
Director David Wain (WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER) capably mixes the saucy and the sentimental in the bawdy boys-to-men comedy ROLE MODELS. Stuck-in-a-rut Danny Donahue (Paul Rudd) and womanizing man-child Wheeler (Seann William Scott) work together promoting Minotaur energy drink to high school students. But when Danny's girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth Banks) dumps him because he lacks maturity, his lashing out threatens to land him and Wheeler in jail. Their only way out is to act as mentors at Sturdy Wings, a Big Brother-esque organization run by reformed addict--and unrepentant flirt--Gayle Sweeny (Jane Lynch). There, Danny is paired with the decidedly dorky Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) while Wheeler is the latest victim to take on foul-mouthed Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson). After a bumpy beginning, both Danny and Wheeler connect with their kids over everything from sword-and-sorcery role playing to the chick-scoring power of the band Kiss. But when these two presumptive adults put their charges' well-being in jeopardy, they face both jail time and the loss of everyone's respect. With their own friendship on the brink of ruin, Danny and Wheeler--not to mention a little help from the magic of Kiss--must reach deep inside to prove to the world how responsible they can truly be. In the spirit of films like KNOCKED UP and THE 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN, ROLE MODELS features a healthy dose of sharp humour and juvenile gags balanced by a feel-good message that growing up doesn't mean giving up what makes each of us special.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant, Brilliant Stuff
So it's January in the UK, i'm guessing everyone's rather demotivated because of the recession and are feeling the effects of Christmas financially and due to all the food. Role Models was just a perfect way for some light-hearted comedy that did not fail to satisfy. Paul Rudd and Christopher Mintz Plasse were the two members of the cast that really drew me in due Rudd's role as Mike in 'Friends' and of course Mintz role as Fogell in 'Superbad'. Both of them, as well as the rest of the cast are all hilarious and brilliant in Role Models.

It's a silly film, with silly and some crude jokes, however, they are just hilarious at the same time. Having a 12 year old kid mouthing off all the time, as well as a teenager that's obsessed with a fantasy-real-life-battle game worked so well. On top of that you have Rudd who just isn't happy and is not afraid to show it and Scott, a guy who just doesn't care and just wants to hook up with girls. The four interesting albeit eccentric characters work so well together to help create a fantastic comedy.

The plot of the film is very bleak, but what comedy film isn't? They're not made great for their deep storylines, look at Superbad, Shaun of the Dead and Anchorman. Basically, Rudd and Scott get sentenced to 150 hours community service and must mentor these kids during this time. The laughs that Role Models provides are fantastic. While there are some are predictable jokes, the majority of them are clever and will have you laughing and not just chuckling, but actually really laughing; my voice wasn't very strong afterwards.

So although the film does not have a majorly deep storyline, it's enough to provide a film that provides more than a bagful of hilarious and clever jokes that will definitely satisfy a wide audience. Feeling a little bit down or you just want a good old fashioned comedy movie to relax with? Pick up Role Models, i'm sure you won't regret it.

5/5

Hilarious!
Me and my boyfriend were visiting New york and we decided to go to the cinema, as we were told the seats were amazing! We hadn't heard of anything that was out over there and it was just pot luck we picked Role Models as we both thought Paul Rudd and Sean william Scott were ok.
I can tell you i am so pleased we chose that film! it was sooo funny, there was not one bit that didn't get the audience howling!! i loved it, i can't wait till it comes out over here. The kids that are in it have such different characters but are equally hilarious! They both did really well! Now me and my boyfriend love Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott! It is truley the best comedy i have EVER seen!!!

Essential Viewing For Comedy Fans
To my surprise I actually liked 'Role Models' it is funny, with likeable lead charcters & a plausible story line.
Based around best friend's Wheeler (Sean William Scott) & Danny (Paul Rudd) who go around schools advertising energy drinks.
After being dumped by his long-term partner Beth, Danny has a mini-meltdown which results in both he & Wheeler ending up on the wrong side of the law. Sentanced to community service, the two men end up at a programme aimed at helping 'problem' children.
Danny is paired with Augie (Christopher Mintz Plasse) an online-gaming fanatic & Wheeler is paired with foul-mouthed pre-teen Ronnie.

'Role Models' succeeds where a lot of other comedies of this genre failed; likeable leads, intelligence & a sweet, undertone that unites the four leads.
Rudd & Scott are believable losers, they're a great comedic pairing with amazing chemistry. I'm positive you'll be rooting for both Wheeler & Danny throughout the film.
Mintz-Plasse is also commendable as Augie, the misfit who's obsession with gaming alienates him from his unsupportive parents.
But the funniest gags are of the programme founder Gayle, a former alcoholic & drug addict she is hilarious with the funniest one-liners.

After hearing of the controversy surrounding the film due to the use of the word 'faggot' more than once, I watched the film & came to the conclusion that the word wasn't used to be homophobic. I think in today's society offending people is something people are too exceedingly concious of. I am all for homosexual rights & would not use any such demeaning words but comedy is all about making oneself look stupid or others. It seems unfair that its ok to target racism at the English or mock fat people but other realms of sub-cultures are appareantly too off-limits for a few jibes. If you're easily offended don't watch this film, simple as!

In conclusion a great comedy, it combines all different styles of comedy but still manages to pull it off with sincerity & the jokes never get too crude.
I would recommend this film to all comedy fans, there's something in this film that enables it to draw in even the most cynical viewers.