This is a movie that I know I'm going to get some backlash on. Not so much because I haven't seen it, although I feel like many will be shocked that I haven't because it's such a beloved film to them, but because of WHY I haven't seen it. It was never a movie that interested me. The awkwardness of the main character and the dryness that seemed to be a main comedic thread throughout the movie never appealed to me. I can't completely explain why, but it was never on my "must see" list. I have heard soo many people tell me about this movie and I've seen tons of clips from it when it winds up on some top ten list WatchMojo or some other YouTube channel does. So, in honor of all those people who absolutely love this movie, I'm watching it for you. So I can finally say I've watched it. So I can finally know what you're talking about and maybe even understand when you're making a reference to the movie. I may never watch it again, but I'll watch it for you this once.
So, I have finally watched this movie and can understand more of the references. This is one of those movies where specific scenes stick with you and they could replay in your head relating to something in your life at the time, kind of like a gif. A lot of the movie is dry humor, as I expected. There were also scenes that I couldn't understand why they even thought of them, or bothered filming them. Like the scene with the cow and the passing school bus filled with children. That scene didn't seem to have any purpose other than shock value. It helped that Jeffrey was watching it with me because he started cracking up at the sudden randomness of it and the chaos it created on the school bus. I didn't laugh, but at least I understood that the shock of it seemed to be it's purpose.
Napoleon himself is a dry, often misunderstood character, to the point that I wondered if he had some sort of social disorder. His classmates especially don't seem to get him and some are relentless with their abuse throughout the film. He is a bit of a story teller and makes up stories of his life to tell anyone that will listen, like his new friend Pedro. Pedro transfers to the school and Napoleon is given the task of showing him to his locker, instantly creating a friendship between the two awkward "teens". I say it that way because you can obviously tell the guy was in his 20s when this was filmed. Pedro is a quiet, subdued guy that just goes along with Napoleon without complaint. By the end of the movie I would say they were friends, but during the movie I wasn't so sure. It felt like Pedro had no one else, so he just accepted Napoleon's company. It wasn't until Napoleon did the most epic thing for his friend and did his dance routine in front of the whole school that really cemented the friendship. Although, I can't rule out when Napoleon hooked Pedro up with Deb to get some fresh hair after he shaved his whole head. I feel like that was a true friend right there. He saw a problem his friend was dealing with and knew how to solve it. The trio became an awkward, but fitting group as the movie progressed.
I really enjoyed the character of Kip. The way he spoke was something that stuck with me and I'm not quite sure why. I can't say I thought he was a nice guy, but I love the way the actor played him. Uncle Rico, on the other hand, definitely held that characterization of pushing the boundaries of taste. There were plenty of times that you were uncomfortable watching how he interacted with others, especially women. Knowing the era it was in, it's hard to say if he was just clueless at how disturbing that behavior really was, or if he really was just that creepy. Offering breast enhancing supplements to teenagers was definitely crossing a line that I'm unsure he knew was there in the first place. The grandmother was a pretty cool chick, though you don't see much of her throughout the film. I was also amused that she was insistent that Lucy, their pet alpaca, would want to eat casserole or other human foods, despite that being utterly ridiculous. I'm not much for utter ridiculousness just for some comedic purpose, especially when it glorifies characteristics I find should never be repeated in real life. Sort of like Jersey Shore and some of the Real Housewives' ridiculous behavior. It makes for good television, but it's definitely not good role model behavior. I don't know if I'll ever feel the need to watch the full movie again, but I can say I appreciated parts of it. I must admit that Napoleon truly rocked that brown suit. It was something not many could pull off, but I felt that he did. His dance for the presidential campaign was completely epic and the best part of the entire movie. He truly got into a groove with that song and was really rocking it out. The fact that it got cut short was sad because I felt like he was really in the moment and it was ripped away from him. But at least the school audience also agreed that it was epic and gave him a standing ovation like he deserved. It's really a scene that brings a smile to your face to see someone so rigid and dry find a way to loosen up and find something to lose himself in. I can't say that the dance scene would have been as impactful to me if I hadn't watched the rest of the film because the turn around was what made it even more special. I'm glad I can finally knock this one off my "never seen before" list and I'm glad that I don't feel like I've wasted two hours of my life (very few movies have ever done that). I'll probably watch clips of the dance scene via YouTube a number of times, but that might be the only scene I really feel I could watch over and over again. For all of you who are die-hard fans of this movie, I understand it to an extent. I just won't be joining your ranks. I can say I appreciate the film, though, so I won't be as critical about it like I thought I would.
Next Sunday is coming close to Earth Day, so I feel I should watch a movie that has to do with environmental concerns, but I've already seen the big ones that relate to it the most. I'm leaning towards March of the Penguins since the things we do impact the climate, which in turn impacts the weather around their lives. There is also Soylent Green, though, which also depicts a future where we've ravished our natural resources and people are forced to get their nutrition through squares of nutrient rich bars which come from a source that isn't so pleasant. Leave me comments in the bottom to help me decide!
For more movie love, check out my other blog, "You're Watching That Again?!"
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