Napoleon Dynamite

2004

Director: Jared Hess

Distributor: FoxSearchlightPictures / Paramount Pictures / MTV Films

Key Elements: Characters – Lines – Message

My Review:

How many comedies come out anymore that aren’t rife with sexual content? This is the only one I can think of. And get this, Hollywood: it’s still a great movie!

It took a while to catch on. I saw the trailer online, and then on the TV long before any theater near me showed the movie. But today it is undeniably an instant cult classic.

The humor of Napoleon Dynamite is in its relatable awkwardness. Growing up is uncomfortable and often un-pretty. But this movie tells us that that’s OK. It’s something we all know about. And really, we should just laugh it off.

If you’re going to find a message in this movie, it’s that, as Napoleon tells Pedro, we should just follow our hearts, no matter what anyone else thinks

Montage:



Quotes:

• What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?
  - Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!
• Way to Stay home and eat all the freakin' chips, Kip.
  -Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.
  Since when, Kip? You have the worst reflexes of all time.
  - Try and hit me, Napoleon.
  What?
  - I said come down here and see what happens if you try and hit me.
• Um, hello. Would you like to look like this?
  - This is a girl.
  Because for a limited time only, Glamour Shots by Deb are 75% off.
  - I already get my hair cut at the Cuttin' Corral.
  Well, maybe you'd be interested in some home-woven handicrafts? …And here we have some boondoggle key chains. A must-have for this season's fashion.
  - I already made like infinity of those at scout camp.
  I’m trying to earn money for college
  -Your mom goes to college.
• I see you're drinking 1%. Is that 'cause you think you're fat? 'Cause you're not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to.
• Who are you gonna ask?
  - That girl over there.
  Summer Wheatly? How the heck are you gonna do that?
  - Build her a cake or something.
• Well, nobody's going to go out with *me*!
  - Have you asked anybody yet?
  No, but who would? I don't even have any good skills.
  - What do you mean?
  You know, like nunchuku skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills... Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills.
• It's a time machine, Napoleon. We bought it online.
  - Yeah, right.
  It works, Napoleon. You don't even know.
• I spent like three hours doing shading the upper lip. It's probably the best drawing I've ever done.
• Pedro, how do you feel about that one?
  - It looks nice.
  Yeah, it looks pretty sweet. It looks awesome. That suit, it's... it's incredible.
• A liger… It's pretty much my favorite animal. It's like a lion and a tiger mixed... bred for its skills in magic.
• Heck yes! I'd vote for you.
• LaFawnduh is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm 100% positive she's my soul mate. Don't worry Napoleon, I'm sure there's a babe out there for you too. Peace out.
• Just tell them that their wildest dreams will come true if they vote for you.
• Just follow your heart. That’s what I always do.
• I caught you a delicious bass.

Stills: