Why I Think Napoleon Dynamite Rocks (Repost)
There are a lot of reasons why I love the movie Napoleon Dynamite. Yes, still, even as a forty year old woman.
Those who hate the movie might find this hard to believe, but Napoleon Dynamite is, at heart, about the deep value of relationships and how they change us. The movie uses Understatement in a major way, which I think makes it slow-paced and boring at the beginning. If you don't finish the movie, it will be hard to like it, imo.
At the beginning of the movie, it's as though the major characters are muffled. Their emotions, their expressions, even the tones of their voices contain little emotion.
This is where Irony comes into play.
Secondary characters at first appear more alive than main ones. But as the story unfolds, as conflicts are introduced and relationships forged, the primary characters become the ones I root for. And by the end of the movie, a very interesting thing happens.
The discovered relationship and connection between the main characters has changed them so deeply that they become real and rounded. Those secondary characters who seemed more relatable at the beginning are actually flat stereotypes.
I also love the element of Surprise (aka freshness). When Napoleon's brother meets the girl he's been talking to on the internet, you're in for a surprise. There's a wonderful freshness in that scene, in how their love transcends the superficiality of culture and bias.
Besides the amazing soundtrack and fantastic use of Irony, Understatement, and Freshness, Napoleon Dynamite is a winner in my house because it takes the everyday blahness of (some people's) life and shows how friendship can change everything.
What did you think of Napoleon Dynamite? Anything to add to this? If you didn't like the movie, why not? What do you think now?
Those who hate the movie might find this hard to believe, but Napoleon Dynamite is, at heart, about the deep value of relationships and how they change us. The movie uses Understatement in a major way, which I think makes it slow-paced and boring at the beginning. If you don't finish the movie, it will be hard to like it, imo.
At the beginning of the movie, it's as though the major characters are muffled. Their emotions, their expressions, even the tones of their voices contain little emotion.
This is where Irony comes into play.
Secondary characters at first appear more alive than main ones. But as the story unfolds, as conflicts are introduced and relationships forged, the primary characters become the ones I root for. And by the end of the movie, a very interesting thing happens.
The discovered relationship and connection between the main characters has changed them so deeply that they become real and rounded. Those secondary characters who seemed more relatable at the beginning are actually flat stereotypes.
I also love the element of Surprise (aka freshness). When Napoleon's brother meets the girl he's been talking to on the internet, you're in for a surprise. There's a wonderful freshness in that scene, in how their love transcends the superficiality of culture and bias.
Besides the amazing soundtrack and fantastic use of Irony, Understatement, and Freshness, Napoleon Dynamite is a winner in my house because it takes the everyday blahness of (some people's) life and shows how friendship can change everything.
What did you think of Napoleon Dynamite? Anything to add to this? If you didn't like the movie, why not? What do you think now?
Comments
"My lips hurt really bad!"
And now you.
A must watch soon.
~ Wendy
Not sick and wrong, Wendy, but you might be surprised. ;-)
I like how you analyzed it. Me? I just watched it and laughed a lot! :)
It is a favorite of my nephews though.
Okay, I'm adding ND to the summer queue.
Nacho Libre, which I find on the same plane, at least had some funnies.
But ND finally became required watching because one of our pastors and the kids quote from that thing constantly.
Now I know what their quotes mean (kinda) but still don't get it. Now the Princess Bride--quotes from that movie come in handy all the time.
Heeheee, Anita, not brilliant of me at all, but thanks. :-)
Mary C, just remember that the movie is a little quirky and weird at first, so try to watch the whole thing. You might still not like it. :-)
"Vote for Pedro"
If I'm surfing channels and find it on, I'll leave it...no matter where it is in the movie. Very quotable.
Yeah, that and The Princess Bride.
Hi Sandi,
Thanks so much for popping by. It's a movie that I feel needs to be watched all the way through in order to get it. If that makes sense? Let me know what you think. :-)
Jeanette, ditto, I'd be interested to get your opinion.
Wooohoo, Natalie! Thanks for chiming in. I agree. :-)
Sarah, let me know what you think. :-)
LOL Warren! There are parts that make my husband laugh but overall he thinks it's a stupid movie. If you do watch it again, I'd be interested to hear what you see.
hilarious.
If I watch it again I'll let you know. Meanwhile, I have to go home and tell my wife and daughter I want to watch Napoleon Dynamite? They won't know what to make of that :)