Napoleon Dynamite
 Rufus  rates it:    Community rates it: (no ratings yet)
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Did I miss something? I start my review with this question, because this is exactly what many of you will think after watching this movie. This movie has had more hype around it than Britney Spears wedding. It was the indie comedy that swept the nation. Oh lordie, lord this was the second coming of Christ!! I believe!!! To be honest though, I just did not get this movie at all. Let’s begin with the story.

Napoleon Dynamite is a high school student that lives with his brother and grandmother. His brother is a small, wiry, little man who likes to chat online. His grandmother is a “hip granny”, who gets hurt riding a 4-Wheeler in the dunes. While she is in the hospital, in comes Uncle Rico. A sleazy man, who turns to selling sets of Tupperware to the masses. Pedro, a new kid to the school, is right away befriended by Napoleon. There is also a disturbing, semi love interest in Deb, a portrait photographer that is just as odd as all the other characters. I mention only the characters, and not the plot. The reason of course is because there is not any plot. This movie is more of a day in the life of the most unlikable, and uncharismatic character that I have ever seen in a movie.

Napoleon is annoying, rude, and just an ass. Pedro seems narcoleptic, and the closest to normalcy is Deb. That may be its “charm”, but it gets annoying very quickly. Sure there are humorous moments. I say humorous, and not funny, because all I could muster was a smile at best. Watching this movie felt like sitting through an episode of Twin Peaks; only humorous. Many who watch this movie will enjoy the strangeness of the film. That is good, because that is all this film has to offer.

With no plot, and the feel of just a long skit, many movie watchers will find themselves confused, or disappointed. I have no doubt that this will become a cult classic, along the lines of any John Waters flick, in the future. Unlike his movies though, like Serial Mom or Cry-Baby, this will become a cult classic that I just did not get. Again I ask; Did I miss something?

Added:  Saturday, April 09, 2005
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