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You might not trust them with your children, but you can absolutely trust “Role Models” with your Friday night.  I say this as a person who treats the silver screen as a mirror and knows the value of subtle intelligence and a well-timed nut shot.

Paul Rudd has never disappointed me.  Not even once.  It has now gotten to the point where I will go see a movie on the sole knowledge of his presence onscreen.  There are very few actors that hold such power over my decision to invest two hours and ten bucks.  It has been my experience that if Paul Rudd shows up, I am going to be vastly entertained, even if it’s not by him specifically.  This guy has hilarious friends, and trust me when I say these are the people you want to spend your Friday night with.  Sure we all loved him in “Clueless” and on “Friends”... but delve a bit deeper into his film career and you will find a goldmine of comedy genius: from “Wet Hot American Summer” to “Knocked Up” and “The Ten.”  This guy makes good choices!  It’s the old Harold Ramis trick: find the funniest people in the room, and go stand next to them.

“Role Models” was no exception to this rule.  I knew it the moment I scanned the screening poster to see who was behind the scenes and saw “Directed by David Wain” beaming up at me from the tiny credits.  Jackpot!  I have loved David Wain since Stella, where he was assaulted by a bicycle gang of 11-year-old boys (along with Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter).  Note:  I’m one of those people that stays behind to read the credits and endlessly torments those forced to suffer my company with inane trivia I picked up while watching DVD commentary (judge as you must, I know what I like).  My Paul Rudd theory was spot-on. 

“You’re welcome,” I said to my friend; “this is going to be delightful.”

So we’re two-for-two before the lights dim.  I’m not a super-huge fan of American Pie, but I’m willing to accept Sean William Scott’s pretty face if it’s buoyed by subtle intelligence, dry wit, and- most importantly- McLovin in a cape.

Add now to the list Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad).  This guy has been forged in the fires of Judd Apatow and David Wain (not to mention to profound influence of Seth Rogen and Will Hader).  He’s going to make us laugh again, he’s fallen in with the right crowd.  Keep an eye on this guy, he’s smart.  These aren’t just funny movies, I actually care about these characters.  That may not be what you would expect from a movie whose poster shows a guy peeing, but hey, I’m all about working off the top of your intelligence and never discounting the power of a well-timed body function.

Jane Lynch (Best in Show, 40 Year Old Virgin) shines as the ex-con-turned-saintly-social-worker, she has a distinct knack for horrifying everyone on screen.  I love watching how the other actors react to her!  Seriously, pay attention to what’s going on when she’s in a room, because she seems to surprise people.  I trust her because she has been in most of Christopher Guest’s movies, but I can’t get started on him this post or I’ll be yammering till the sun comes up.

Now, I won’t give away my favorite bits.  Chances are if you recognize any of the people I have mentioned, you will enjoy this movie and you already know that.  I will say, however, that there is a bad-ass fantasy war scene.  It’s a miracle that I never entered the realm of wizarding stick-fights what with being home-schooled till high school, and then systematically bullied by the theater department.  No wonder I relate to Christopher-Mintz Plasse.  I am McLovin.