Napoleon Dynamite (2004) is a work of art

Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

I recently sat down to watch Napoleon Dynamite (2004) with a friend of mine. I had been pestering her to watch it with me for a long time, and I was finally getting my wish. As the movie began, though, I immediately realized that it was definitely not her cup of tea, and she would probably not find it as hilariously amazing as I did. I was proven right and it was wholly heart-breaking. 

Napoleon Dynamite (2004) does not appeal to every audience. In fact, while it is fairly well-regarded by the public—with a 74 percent Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes—people seem to either love it or hate it. Those who hate it often express the same complaint: that it is boring, with no character development and a supremely uninteresting, meandering plot. They find the title character—Napoleon Dynamite—annoying and impossible to empathize with. 

I believe that they are missing the essential point and tone of the movie. The movie is boring and the plot is meandering and seems to be getting nowhere, but that is what makes it funny and relatable. Napoleon could be seen as pretty unlikeable, but he is also depicted as an awkward teenager who is just trying to get by, and his weirdness makes for a character that a lot of us can identify with, even if not entirely. The plot is not overly complex or deeply moving, but a lot of it (definitely not all) reflects a great deal of the everyday struggles—even if trivial or ridiculous—that teenagers encounter. The rural setting of the movie in Preston, Idaho may resonate with viewers who grew up in similar environments, and only adds to its authenticity. 

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jared Hess (the director and a co-writer of the movie), described the film as being “so autobiographical,” and stated that “the character of Napoleon was a hybrid of all the most nerdy and awkward parts of me and my brothers growing up.” Even the line from the movie “I like your sleeves…they’re real big” actually happened to Hess’s wife, Jerusha Hess. For those who say that the movie’s script is boring or just plain strange, I would argue that it is blatantly real, which is part of what makes it so hilarious and compelling for audiences over two decades since its release. 

For a movie that had a budget of only $400,000, it has been incredibly successful, and popular lines and scenes from the movie are frequently referenced in online spaces and real-life conversations today. I believe the movie deserves every single bit of hype it gets, and I honestly recommend that everyone watch it at least once. Just go into it with an open mind and the understanding that if you are watching for some sort of deep thought piece, you will not get that. If you are interested in a fast-moving plot and deeply emotionally complex characters, you will not get that either. But if you are ready for a very strange movie that is comedic due entirely to its blatant absurdity, Napoleon Dynamite (2004) is the movie for you. 

Like my friend, though, it might just not appeal to your sense of humor. That is okay, too! But I genuinely think everyone should give it a chance, even if you later come to The Lamron to write an article about why you hated it.