Role Models

On October 14, 2009, I rented the movie Role Models, starring Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd. The film begins by introducing Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Sean William Scott); two salesmen who market energy drinks called Minotaur to schools. Wheeler is an immature hustler who loves the job and loves meeting women. Danny, however, hates the job and has an overall negative attitude towards life. Danny impulsively proposes to his longtime girlfriend who rejects him, and he later gets into misdemeanor trouble with Wheeler by crashing their company car after resisting a tow for illegal parking. The two are assigned to work 150 community service hours as mentors to two misfit kids at a charity organization called Sturdy Wings. Danny and Wheeler do not want to work with the kids, and contemplate going to jail for 30 days instead of working their hours. The movie progresses as Danny and Wheeler develop their relationships with their “littles” and spend valuable time with them, regardless how awkward the situations.
Although the movie is a comedy, it still presents real ideas about developing close relationships with others in situations outside your comfort zone. Danny’s “little” is named Augie, and is obsessed with a fantasy world called LAIRE where people dress up as elves, witches, warriors, trolls, and all other sorts of fantastical characters. Danny originally does not spend time with Augie other than to complete his hours, but eventually learns that it is more important to make Augie feel loved and welcome. Wheeler’s “little” is a loud-mouthed troublemaker named Ronnie who has no friends because he does not fit in. Wheeler connects to Ronnie by learning that both of their dads left them when they were young. Wheeler understands Ronnie because they are essentially one in the same person, and spends time with him by bonding with him and his mother.
The movie is very funny, in my own opinion, and I would recommend seeing it if you enjoy most modern, awkward comedies. The movie pokes fun at fantasy infatuated dorks, presents a satire of young black culture, but still offers a serious message behind a hilarious plot.