Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite is probably unlike any other film you have ever seen. Although it bears similarities with many teen movies, the general ambience and flow of the movie is different. Unlike many films in the same genre there is no overall goal that the main characters are pursueing. The change in style can probably be put down to the fact that it is an independent film and not another forgettable teen movie primarily designed to rake in money, but this may be forgotten since MTV took over distribution after Napoleon Dynamite was a smash at the Sundance Film Festival.

The film follows several days in the life of Napoleon Dynamite, a delusional geek with a certain lack of social grace. It is the very fact that he doesn't care in the slightest what people think of him that makes him such an agreeable character. His friend Pedro also delivers some unexpected laughs, whereas his older brother Kip and Uncle Rico can become somewhat tiring and tend not to add a great deal to the film. The standard of the acting is certainly not stunning but it fits with the style of the movie and is easily overlookable due to the quality of the script.

You must be warned, however, that this is one of those films that you will either love or hate. If you fall into the first category, you will almost undoubtedly find yourself quoting the film at every possible opportunity (the script definitely lends itself to this), whereas if you fall into the second category you will probably find yourself wanting to strangle your friends for their incessant utterings of "Whatever I feel like. Gosh!". Some people may feel that most of the comedy comes from laughing at someone who is "less cool", but I would argue that the reason most of it hits the mark so precisely is that the remarks made are easy to relate to, usually because we, the audience, have been in a similar situation ourselves.

This is one of the freshest, funniest films I have seen in a long time and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you haven't seen a movie that has left you acheing afterwards from excessive laughter then you should check Napoleon Dynamite out. Don't forget to stay behind for the bonus scene after the credits, it's worth it.

Dunstan Barnes – 1.9.04