Professor Popinjay's Compendium of Perspicacity

A Non-review by Professor Popinjay

(2004)

I saw Peluca (2003) before I had ever heard of Napoleon Dynamite. Imagine my confusion when I would see a whole cubic display at Walmart consisting of nothing but copies of Napoleon Dynamite with the character “Seth” on the boxart.

Upon inspecting the DVD box I really couldn’t tell that this was any different from Peluca other than being in color and having a different title. So I turned away, thinking I had basically seen it. I suppose I should have inspected the runtime. I should have considered the price.

Next thing I know, I’m invited to a party where we’re watching, you guessed it, Napoleon Dynamite. A party? To watch a 9 minute film? I was starting to think I may have grossly underestimated this film’s popularity.

Well, you know how the story ends. Seth was played by John Heder in the film Peluca. Peluca was the short film that eventually turned into the feature film Napoleon Dynamite. Seth’s name was changed to Napoleon Dynamite and that’s what the film was called. Glad we had this talk.

It was a very enjoyable party and Napoleon Dynamite was the reason. It almost had this Wes Anderson feel to it, except I understood why people in the audience were laughing.

One would almost think this wouldn’t work as a full length feature after seeing Peluca. It’s like a movie about nothing for the longest time. But each “nothing” scene is hilarious and so bizarre. At the same time, it’s relatable. I feel like I’ve known some Napoleon Dynamites. I feel like I’ve BEEN some Napoleon Dynamites! Heck, every character in this is some kind of recognizable high school archetype.

I’ve loved everything Jared Hess has directed so far. Nacho Libré (2006) was great. Gentlemen Broncos (2009) was even better! If you loved Napoleon Dynamite but have not yet seen Gentlemen Broncos, stop what you’re doing right now and go watch it. I’ll wait.

Fantastic, wasn’t it!?!

I love that a movie doesn’t have to be a big budget box office smash to be great. That concept in itself is the essence of this film.

Please go see these types of movies in the theater. Go see dramas and comedies! See movies in the theater that aren’t grandiose. If we don’t, they (gnomes) might stop making them! You need the group dynamic for some of these! It’s important. I can’t imagine ever sitting down and enjoying Napoleon dynamite by myself. You need people for this film.

God forbid the only thing in theaters is Marvel films. They’re fine and all but so are other things that have nothing to do with super heroes.

If by some bizarre chance, you are unfamiliar with exactly what Napoleon Dynamite is, it’s a purposely awkwardly told story about several awkward characters, one of whom is Napoleon Dynamite. I don’t know why they changed his name in this but it’s definitely ear catching.

Napoleon is a nerd. He could be described as obliviously confident. Apathetically confident? He just is who he is and he gives zero shits about what anybody might think about that. He’s not conceited or arrogant but he does seem to defend himself if attacked verbally. He doesn’t seem to realize how uncool he is and he doesn’t seem to care and that makes him cool. The man is part of the “Happy Hands” club, the club that does hand motions to songs. Why? Because that’s what he flippin’ feels like he wants to do! GOSH!!!

I think what makes him so endearing is how loyal he is to his friends. The whole film can be a series of non-sequiter scenes, seemingly random and supposedly having nothing to do with the plot. But if those scenes are relatable and it all leads up to a sweet, satisfying and all encompassing victory that ties everything together, it just works.

Peluca was a proof of concept. Napoleon Dynamite was the full realization. I wonder if director Jared Hess knew this weird little film would become wildly popular, having connected to something so pure and previously untapped at just the right time amid a world of pretentious big-budget noise. Or did the unexpected success slowly form a smile on his face as the realization gradually dawned on him?

If you can’t get enough of Napoleon Dynamite, checkout the Batman Begins MTV movie award segues with Jimmy Fallon. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Also, vote for Pedro.

Click here for the Batman Begins MTV movie awards segue: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rLd4SLcRbZI&pp=ygUpTXR2IG1vdmllIGF3YXJkcyBiYXRtYW4gbmFwb2xlb24gZHluYW1pdGU%3D

Here’s Napoleon doing The Late Show’s Top Ten List- Top Ten Signs You’re Not the Most Popular Guy in High School: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=94r4OkpfI50&pp=ygUpTXR2IG1vdmllIGF3YXJkcyBiYXRtYW4gbmFwb2xlb24gZHluYW1pdGXSBwkJJQoBhyohjO8%3D