DigitalSandbox

What can you say about this movie? Sweet! That’s what. This is probably one of the quirkier films I have seen in a while, but one of the funniest.

If you enjoy dead-pan humor (and I mean, come on, who doesn’t?) then you almost definietly enjoy Napolean Dynamite. The plot, if it can be called such, is basically a day in the life of Napolean Dynamite. Napolean is basically the kind of guy we all aspire to be stay away from. The quintessential nerd/dweeb if you will. You follow Napolean through his “life” as he is harrassed or ignored at school and tolerates an equally dorky brother (32 years old and still living at home) and a sleazy uncle always out to make a buck at home.

Since the movie is more or less devoid of any plot, the joy comes from the situations Napolean finds himself in. And the dead-pan delivery. Everything Napolean says or does is without of any emotion which somehow makes it even funnier. Personally, I thought the lack of plot was an asset as you could more freely concentrate on Napolean’s character and be glad you weren’t him back in High School.

The film has become somewhat of a cult classic in a way. Which means that you will have one of two possible reactions. You will, like I did, thoroughly enjoy it and find the dialog (and the delivery) very funny. Or you will, like The Wife, find it okay and not a total waste of time, but basically kind of pointless. Think of it a humor litmus test if you want to and see where you fall.