Napolean Dynamite
Comedy, like sex, loses all upon explication. Why is Napoleon Dynamite funny or not? is not a question that I will not attempt to answer. You either "get it" or you don't, and there's definitely no shame in finding this film entirely banal.
The plot follows a simple and familiar structure: awkward teen experiences trouble at home and at school - awkward teen develops a friend with a fellow awkward teen - awkward teen meets awkward girl - awkward teen... and so on until the awkward teen is somehow "redeemed".
(Somewhat tangentially, I wonder what this film would be like if it was put into the hands of Todd Solondz. I imagine we'd have quite a devastating film, similar to "Welcome to the Dollhouse"...)
Perhaps it would be helpful to describe the type of humour that is found in Napolean. I find the humour to be similar to that found in "Waiting for Guffman", or "Best in Show", but somehow less gleeful (and certainly not in the same class). It relies on the viewer to appreciate social norms and the inherent "humour" in witnessing these norms being breached by the characters in the film.
I don't think much more can be said about this film that is objective. Personally, I found it hilarious, while at the same time I recognized that as a film it is pretty loosely assembled.
7/10. Recommended.
The plot follows a simple and familiar structure: awkward teen experiences trouble at home and at school - awkward teen develops a friend with a fellow awkward teen - awkward teen meets awkward girl - awkward teen... and so on until the awkward teen is somehow "redeemed".
(Somewhat tangentially, I wonder what this film would be like if it was put into the hands of Todd Solondz. I imagine we'd have quite a devastating film, similar to "Welcome to the Dollhouse"...)
Perhaps it would be helpful to describe the type of humour that is found in Napolean. I find the humour to be similar to that found in "Waiting for Guffman", or "Best in Show", but somehow less gleeful (and certainly not in the same class). It relies on the viewer to appreciate social norms and the inherent "humour" in witnessing these norms being breached by the characters in the film.
I don't think much more can be said about this film that is objective. Personally, I found it hilarious, while at the same time I recognized that as a film it is pretty loosely assembled.
7/10. Recommended.
- another-dreamer
- 2 apr 2006