The Cinema of the Four

Role Models

There is often a family resemblance between cinematic investigations. None but the serious student of movies usually observes such similarities, but after seeing actress Elizabeth Banks in a particular coffee shop in last week’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” then seeing Elizabeth Banks in the same coffee shop again in these week’s “Role Models,” one has to suspect some plotting beyond that in the script. Or at least some unusual cost-saving measures.

Interestingly, besides sharing an actress and a set, both movies are part of an unfortunate deluge of R-rated comedies that have been rolling into theaters this fall. All funny movies, with great scripts, but what is one to do when it’s time to take eleven-year-old Irregulars (the fourth) to a movie and they don’t want to see a sequel to “Madagascar”?

“Role Models” is a simple, fun little comedy with a lot of foam-sword violence that might have be perfect for the kids . . . if not for a boatload of profanity, topless women, and graphic explanations of Kiss lyrics. Of course, had the Irregulars not been looking to help with an investigation this week, such considerations might not have entered into it. Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd lead a great comic cast, including the aforementioned Elizabeth Banks. Christopher Mintz-Plasse (the reknowned “McLovin” from the movie “Superbad”) demonstrates that his earlier success was no fluke. If you can find a way to sneak out of Baker Street without the Irregulars, “Role Models” is worth a look.