Why I love Napoleon Dynamite, by KLD

Easter was full of phenomenal food and many loved ones. Alyssa was so cute when she tried to eat the long eared chocolate rabbit which was almost as tall & thin as her. Cute. And little Lauren was adorable in the posh Easter dress I bought her for her birthday. The night ended with a public viewing of Napoleon Dynamite. And I was shocked to learn that people do not like this movie. How I say? How? And so, I dedicate this blog to the Haters in the group.

I first saw Napoleon Dynamite (ND) in an Art Theatre in DC with Eric. At first, I was annoyed at the movie because I thought it was poking fun of people with mental disabilities. Then came Deb and Pedro and I realized it wasn't that at all. Instead it is about life, friendship, happiness and love. Right? Yesterday it was posited as a spin of revenge of the nerds - and yesterday I agreed but it is much more than that. And not really revenge as ND is not so much vengeful as he is just trying to live and be happy.

We learn a lot in the first few moments - namely that ND has a brother and a grammy who was quick to leave ND and bro home in charge of the house and the llama. Gram heads out on a sexcapade and is clearly living her own life. Brother, even more geeky than ND, arguably has a life too - albeit a dial up internet techie geek logging lots of minutes on internet dating. Bro thinks he is a stud and of course to us he is anything but. ND is floundering, lacks interpersonal skills, and wears inappropriate clothing.

The movie is appealing especially if, you have ever dreamed up an interesting creature - like a Liger; dreamed you were a superhero or a ninja; been in a position where you love a certain food and worry about the next time you will be able to have tater tots (or m&ms)forcing you to stock pile them in your pants; Or been so insecure that the only defense you have is to poke fun of someone elses by yelling something nonsensical like "your mom goes to college."

The movie is about being alone and not wanting to be alone. Its about making your family from whomever makes you happy. Finding friends and love in the unlikeliest places - the new kid in school or the glamour shots gal. Part of the appeal is that mid-west, can this really happen feel to it.

The reality is that there are people in our lives who live in the glory days (uncle rico) and cannot live in the present. Their greatest accomplishments happened 20 years ago and that one moment (almost making states') has ruled and ruined his life. There are others who take risks that we might not take (Brother) who tries online dating and falls in love. Still others who run for president (vote for Pedro) and others who wear their hearts, insecurities, and other emotions on their sleeve (both ND and Deb).

And despite having no parents, despite being poor (at least working class), despite the rural Midwest, or being 30 in high school (like that blonde football guy), or being the cheerleader, or the new kid, or the new Mexican kid in rural America - people are still happy. It may be different than our lives - but we all find happiness, friends, and love. Its all possible.

All this sappy stuff and humor too. Ridiculous, dry, sometimes hard to find humor. But its there. How funny was it when his brother put on the roller blades and asked for a ride to town. Funny! RexCanDo! Funny! That dance at the end - sweet!

We all have our own inner ND. We have our own annoying phrases (jeeezzze, peeps, good lord, iiiidddiiiooott, etc); weird shoe things (boots in the summer, or tongs in the winter); bizarre ways to drink gatorade (throwing back the head and slugging it down vs. Making sure its in that special cup with lots of ice); or getting pissy about waiting for our ride; brown old school prom suit vs. oxford and sweater vest.

So, clearly if you don't like it - try to take it to my approach to the movie and rewatch it. Or never put it in again. I say its worth it. Its about each and every one of us! It says Take a Risk. Love. Be happy. Play tetherball. But never work in a chicken farm.

And...Uncle Rico was in X-Files, 90210, Texas Ranger, 2nd season of 24 - 1 espisode, The Pretender, and a couple episodes of Seinfeld.

Enjoy!

k