Sean Willam Scott and Paul Rudd in "Role Models"
courtesy of Universal Home Entertainment
“Strange Role Models”

It is a shame the profanity and crudity of the script get in the way of the message of the movie “Role Models,” which comes to DVD this week. Many of you will be so turned off by the trash talk of the characters, both young and old, that you won’t be able to discover the sweetness at its center. There is a good, funny story at the heart of this film but the language is so profane and so blue that a large segment of the potential audience will never watch it. It is particularly offensive to have minors spouting the words they do in this movie.

The film focuses on two thirty-something guys named Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Sean William Scott). They make a living selling a high energy drink to kids. They ride around in a wild looking car dubbed “The Minotaur” and appear at high schools telling kids to stay off drugs and go with the energy drink.

Danny is burned out and wants something more out of life than what he is doing. His negative attitude is affecting his friendships, his girlfriend (Elizabeth Banks), and his job. One day he explodes and he and Wheeler are arrested. They are sentenced to one hundred and fifty hours of community service.

They serve their sentence through a Big Brother program. Danny is assigned to work with Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Wheeler draws Ronnie (Bobb’e J Thompson). Augie is a nerdy kid who lives for the world of “dungeons and dragons” or medieval fighting. Danny thinks all this is just weird. Ronnie cusses up a storm and seems years older than he actually is.

The heart of the movie comes from how the two men are affected by these young boys. Each of the men puts aside his own ego to help the child to whom he is assigned. And the kids respond in kind.

Rudd is the star of this movie and he gives a full bodied performance as the burnt out, soured man whose life is not living up to expectations. Scott has the secondary role but he is loads of laughs as the irrepressible Wheeler. Mintz-Plasse found stardom in “Superbad” and shines again as the kid who is trying to break out of his shell.

Jane Lynch is crude and profane as Gayle Sweeney, the reformed drug addict and prostitute, who leads the organization where the two men are assigned. She says things a sailor would censor but she is fascinating to watch and to hear.

There is no way to get around the fact “Role Models” turns the air blue with its language. Still there is a sweet story that redeems it somewhat. This is what “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” tried to do and failed.

If you can get past the language you will find a DVD worth viewing.. Rudd and Scott play off each other with good results and make the movie fun.

“Rachel Getting Married” is the movie that jump started Anne Hathaway’s career as a dramatic actress and caused renewed interest in Debra Winger. Both of these actresses are excellent in this movie, now on DVD. The movie itself is another story. It is so loud and boisterous that you can barely hear people speak above the din, and the people involved are so dysfunctional that you never feel involved in the movie.

At the start of the movie Kym (Hathaway) is getting out of rehab. She is headed to her father’s home where the entire clan has gathered for her sister Rachel’s (Rosemarie DeWitt) wedding. Her father (Bill Irwin) and his second wife (Anna Deavere Smith) are very welcoming to Kym but her father is a tad overprotective. 

Rachel is marrying into a loud, raucous family and each of these people has something loud to say. Kym is a little overwhelmed and has to fight to make herself heard. But each time she asserts herself she and Rachel get into an argument. It’s a sister thing.

Then there is the case of their mother Abby (Winger). She breezes in late for the rehearsal dinner and seems to be above all the hubbub. She has little to say and virtually ignores Kym. When certain facts emerge later in the movie the audience finds out why there is an estrangement.

Nothing in the film is ever resolved and so all the chest beating and confessionals are wasted. The wedding proceeds and the people stay the same. Well maybe they get louder and more annoying.

Hathaway is excellent in her role as the damaged Kym. She is light years away from her role in “The Princess Diaries.” She manages to convey Kym’s fears, anxieties and wishes in a way that makes her character appealing and sympathetic.

Winger steals the show as Abby. Whatever it is that you need to be a presence in a film, she has it. You spend the first half of the movie anticipating her arrival, and when she gets there you are not disappointed.. She has very few scenes in the film but she certainly makes an impact.

There is also solid work done by Rosemarie DeWitt. Her Rachel is the catalyst for every action and reaction from Kym. Rachel is not the best written role in the movie but DeWitt does everything possible with it.

This is a movie about a dysfunctional family and it gets its point across in scenes of shouting, mumbling, and people talking over each other. Then there is the incessant music that keeps playing in the background. When the father finally tells the group of players to shut up I wanted to shout hallelujah.

“Rachel Getting Married” is worth seeing because of the acting, but the story is another story altogether.

It is hard to believe that “Pinocchio” was released by the Disney folks seventy years ago. When you look at the animation it is also amazing what they could do back in 1939. To celebrate this anniversary “Pinocchio” is being released on Blu-Ray and regular DVD.

A new generation of kids can now watch enthralled as the story of the boy made out of wood unfolds. In addition they can meet Jiminy Cricket for the first time and then sing along with the Award winning sing “When You Wish Upon A Star.”

This is truly one of Disney’s classic animated films. Make sure you and your kids watch it and soon!

One of the most acclaimed performances of last year was rendered by Kristin Scott Thomas in the movie “I’ve Loved You For So Long.” Many were amazed when she did not receive an Academy Award nomination for the role. Now the film is on DVD and you can judge whether or not she should have been so honored.

In the film she plays a doctor who has been in prison for fifteen years. When she is released she has nowhere to go except to her sister’s house where she begins to make her way back into the world

This is a dramatic film and one that requires the viewers to immerse themselves completely in it.. But Scott Thomas’ acting is well worth the effort.

With “Kings” starting its run on NBC and telling a modern version of the David story, it is time to go back and watch a movie about the original. “The Story of David” is now on DVD. This film that aired as a two part mini-series on television several years ago stars Timothy Bottoms, Anthony Quayle and Jane Seymour.

The film tells the story from David’s battle with Goliath to when he becomes king of Israel and gets involved with Bathsheba. So you can see it runs the gamut. Still; it is well worth watching and something your family can enjoy.

Finally, Jason Statham returns in another “Transporter” movie. This time it is “Transporter 3” and it is now out on DVD. Statham is still playing Frank Martin who as always has to transport a person or thing from one country to another. It is another action packed adventure with one of the best action stars on the planet.

Plus you get two featurettes, commentary from the director, and behind the scenes footage. Best of all you get one of the most exciting movies of the year. Yeah, Jason!!!
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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