Role Models: A Surprisingly Good Film

Generally, I’m not a fan of stupid boy humor—the brand I’ve slapped on movies featuring Jason Biggs (pretty much anybody out of those American Pie movies, really), Seth Rogan, Paul Rudd, and the like. I guess I just like my comedians older (Louis CK), gay (Margaret Cho), or dead (George Carlin).

I just haven’t seen many films with these guys in them that I think are that funny. Truth be told, Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell get on my nerves occasionally, too (I know people will be out for my blood when I admit that!).

But Role Models, while it does contain the typical sexist stereotyping, male idiocy, and basic standard formula you’ll find in so many “stupid boy humor” movies—the very ideas and scenarios that keep making men look like stupid, irresponsible jerks who get the girl in the end anyway and women look like gorgeous little dwindle-headed, forgiving nymphettes who are basically there for eye candy—you’ll also find a little bit of redemption.

This comes largely in the form of the character Augie Farks (played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse), who is just as wonderfully nerdy as his name implies. He doesn’t fit in. He doesn’t even really try to fit in, which makes his character even more likeable. He’s into a sort of dungeons and dragons, Ren faire gaming community; in fact, it’s his life.

And it’s through standing up for what he knows to be wrong within this community—with the help of his role model, Paul Rudd, who up to this point hasn’t really done that great of a job being said role model, and the other “big-little” pair in the film, played by Seann William Scott (horrible as ever, I’m afraid, but at least we get to see him in Kiss drag) and Bobb’e J. Thomson.

Yes, the same crude humor is there (I said, “Oh gross!” several times, much to my husband’s delight), and the same sex-crazed madness, at least in Scott’s character; but there’s also just the simple message of being yourself, liking who that is, and standing up for what you believe in. Plus, there’s even a twist at the end when you believe Augie, who went for the glory, is going to be king of his kingdom—when, in fact, the girl he likes beats him! She still makes him “her” king, of course, in a very geekily sweet moment, proving that you can get the girl without being a total moron.