Amazon.com: As deadpan comedies go, Napoleon Dynamite stands in a class all its own. Played by John Heder, the title character is (in the words of critic Roger Ebert) "the kind of nerd other nerds avoid," a mouth-breathing dweeb with a mangy nest of orange hair, and ungainly features that suggest a perpetual state of half-conscious depression. He lives in Preston, Idaho (former home of 24-year-old director Jared Hess) with his thrill-seeking grandma and 32-year-old brother, and his days at high school consist mostly of being abused or ignored by indifferent classmates. Napoleon's sad-sack story doesn't offer the scathing, impassioned humor of Welcome to the Dollhouse because Hess (who cowrote the nearly plotless screenplay with his wife, Jerusha) doesn't have an angst-ridden axe to grind. Instead, the comedy (which exists in a tacky universe of worn-out rural suburbia) is so low-key that some will find it difficult to laugh, while others (i.e., those who feel superior to Napoleon) will have plenty of fun at Napoleon's expense. The result is a curiously uneven film, hilarious at times, but hampered by its own sense of affectionate mockery. An audience favorite at the Sundance film festival, Napoleon Dynamite may not be entirely lovable, but it's definitely unique. --Jeff Shannon
Funny Jared Hess's cult classic from 2004, Napoleon Dynamite, immediately drew me back to such films as Rushmore, Election, and Welcome To The Dollhouse- films that deal with high school life in comic ways. Yet, of those films, Napoleon Dynamite is probably the most off the wall. The film is set in director Hess's hometown of Preston, Idaho, in the southeastern corner of the state, not far from the Great Salt Lake. It is not a parody, but an absurdist tale, as none of the characters are in the least bit realistic. Napoleon Dynamite is the lead character's name (and yes, it sounds like the name of a loser from a bad punk rock band), and he is played by newcomer Jon Heder- a tall, red afro'd, four-eyed geek who is a not too good liar. He lives with his grandmother (Sandy Martin) and websurfing, geeky older brother Kipling (Aaron Ruell), until grandma wipes out in an ATV accident on sand dunes. Then, their uncle Rico (Jon Gries) comes to live with the boys. Rico is a bad Tupperware salesman who lives out of his aging van, and still wishes it was 1982, when he was a backup high school quarterback. He feels his coach's decision not to put him into the game denied him a shot at the NFL. Napoleon's school life is not much better. He's bullied by kids his age and younger, and makes only two friends- a Mexican kid named Pedro Sanchez (Efren Ramirez), who's as passionless as his name is generic, but who has a sweet bicycle, can work up the courage to talk to girls, and has an real mustache, and a cute, but weird brunet girl named Deb (Tina Majorino), who attempts to run her own door-to-door Glamour Shots business.... The film is well written by Hess and his wife Jerusha, and there is a making of featurette not for the film, but the addendum wedding after the credits. This seems wholly in keeping with the film. There is also a commentary with Hess and Heder, but little of note is said, save for the fact that we learn Heder is married in real life, and Majorino (Deb) is a hip hop dance instructor. The film, however, tells much more than other films with seemingly similar subjects because it does not try. What it shows, though, is really, really funny.
All-time top five! This movie is my one of my favorites! I still laugh when I watch it, even though I've seen it about ten times. It's funny and hysterical, and any kid understands it. My mom and I love the actor who plays Napoleon... he's soooo funny! The rest of my family and I will watch for hours, including the deleted scenes and what not. There really is no plot, but the story is funny. This is definately worth buying if your in the mood for a humorous film!
Blow Nessie Out of the Water... Okay, I think it's obvious from the reviews of this film that people have very different ideas about humor. I think the people who do not "get" this film, just do not understand subtle humor. They are more used to mainstream comedy. As for me--I enjoyed every single moment! I did not think it "plotless"--I think it said exactly what it meant to say, and I think the intended message was: even misfits can triumph. Pure and simple. I don't understand why everyone seems to need to use the word "nerd" for Napoleon and his friends--obviously societal conditioning is responsible for that--for people looking at anyone who is "different", esp. high schoolers, and sticking that label on them automatically. To me, Napoleon and most of his friends were--how can I put it--charmingly quirky? Offbeat, for sure. Is that necessarily a bad thing? I don't think so. I think that is the reason why so many people identify with these characters--NOT because it is fun to sadistically make fun of them, because they think they are pathetic, or that they bring back bad memories from high school. Besides, the filmmmakers did allow for all the characters in this film to TRIUMPH in one way or another at the end--and I think that sends a very strong statement that one CAN overcome, and find that one has worth, even if one is a misfit. Not only that--this is a sweet little movie in many respects. It is good to keep in mind that Napoleon's "triumph" at the end of the film (his dance number) was something he did not even do to bring himself glory--he intended it to help his friend Pedro. It was a very unselfish act. He also told Pedro, before he gave his speech, to "listen to your heart--I always do." Napoleon is "different" to be sure--but he obviously has a heart. And it just goes to show that the law of karma is alive and well--that oftentimes if you extend a hand to others, you end up helping yourself as well. (Also, if you would be quite honest with yourself, admit it (my hand slaps your face)--when he does that dance, doesn't the "nerdy" Napoleon seem to you...just for that moment...almost..sexy?) As I said at the beginning, humor is in the eyes/ears/mind whatever, of the beholder...and I found this film to be hysterically funny. The one-liners just abound. I also do think it takes a certain degree of intelligence to really appreciate this film (sorry if that offends anyone, but it's how I feel). One last thing--I have found that whenever I am feeling down, or just need a pick-me-up, this film does it for me every time. It is hard to be depressed when you are howling with laughter! It is the kind of story that ultimately makes me feel good, and even gives me hope for humanity...and popular culture being what it is today, how many films can you say that about? Now go make yourself a frickin' quesadilla...
Super funny This is one of the funniest movies of all time...couldn't find it anywhere but Amazon had it! Thanks
Only the best movie with the most powerful wizard powers ever!!! See this movie twice. The first time you might sort of get annoyed by it, but it will grow on you. Then see it a second time, and you might just laugh and cry. I did. And I NEVER CRY in a movie. It's just so sweet and innocent and wonderful. Every time I see Napoleon's female friend, I get choked up. And Pedro, too, to a lesser extent.
Oh, there's an ending after the credits, so check it out. It's well worth it.
This movie is adorable, in an age of, shall I say, un-adorable, violent, shock value movies. See it, at least twice.Trust me.
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