Nacho
Libre is the sophomore effort from Napoleon Dynamite creator Jared Hess. Napoleon
divide audiences. People either found it funny or stupid. Personally, I found
the film hilarious. In fact, I downright loved it. I have a simple gauge for this
particular genre. If I find myself reciting lines from a comedy on the way home
from the theater, then it obviously worked it's magic on me. For me, that's the
true testament of great comedy. By this simple standard, Nacho Libre isn't a great
comedy. Nacho Libre is cut from a slapstick, physical comedy cloth, and these
traits can be just as important as good dialogue - if done right. This collaboration
between Hess, comedic force Jack Black, and School of Rock scribe Mike White,
is big on sight gags, and even though the film does offer up big laughs and a
tender side, it never really manages to gel.
Nacho
Libre features Black as the title character, a clueless monk/cook from Mexico
who moonlights as a Lucha Libre wrestler as a means to provide for himself and
the young residents of a Mexican monastery. Through the aid of a rail thin vagrant
named Esqueleto (Hector Jimenez) and the simple charms of a lovely nun named Encarnacion
(Ana De La Reguera), Nacho sets out to become a better man in this strange fusion
of Zorro, Rocky, and The Three Stooges.
I
so wanted to love this movie. I'm a huge fan of Jack Black, and as I previously
stated, I was a massive supporter of the quirky but hilarious Napoleon Dynamite.
All the elements seemed to be in place for Nacho Libre to work, and for the first
thirty minutes or so, it does. As the film opened, I was really into the tone.
That sort of offbeat sensibility that I was hoping for was on full display, and
what's more, I really loved Hess' decision to shoot this picture on location.
Hence the film has this odd, surreal quality about it.
Jack
Black is one of our finest comedic actors because he simply goes the extra mile.
Be it a dramatic pause, an odd facial tick, or a zany prat fall, Black is a bundle
of unlimited energy, and his comic timing is picture perfect. His Nacho Libre
is an eccentric, but likable creation mixing the manic energy you come to expect
from the performer along with a kind of sweetness that he hinted at in his masterful
School of Rock turn. Physically, Libre is Curly, Khan and John Oates all rolled
into one. Given that Nacho Libre uses Lucha Libre wrestling as it's back drop,
it affords Black the opportunity to really let loose physically. And take note
Tenacious D fans, Black delivers a couple of nifty little tunes, and while these
songs are clearly out of place in the context of the film, they're still pretty
damn funny.
Hector
Jimenez is wonderfully bizarre as Nacho's wrestling partner Esqueleto. I love
the way this thin, gangly character just kind of pops up out of nowhere. He sort
of reminded me of that weird little boom-a-rang throwing rug rat in "The
Road Warrior".
The
screenplay (or lack thereof) relies more on physical comedy and site gags as oppose
to laugh out loud dialogue and this was disappointing to me because Napoleon Dynamite
had me in stitches throughout. Nacho Libre certainly has moments. There's a very
funny sequence in which Nacho must take on a couple of dwarves in the ring. These
creepy little guys look like Pakuni from that old Land of the Lost TV show from
the late 70's. As they pummel Nacho to a pulp, I couldn't help but laugh, but
ultimately, there's no real payoff to the scene. It's a funny idea that doesn't
really go anywhere. It's humorous for the first two minutes, but then the gag
quickly wears thin. Strangely, the gags that work best are the one's that make
absolutely no sense. Included, a moment in which Nacho smears cow dung on Esqueleto's
face, then proceeds to shoot him with his bow and arrow. "WHAT THE F***!"
And wait until you see the "corn-on-a-stick-vs.-a-guy-with-a-knife"
sequence. You'll be talking about it long after you've left the theater.
Yes,
Nacho does deliver on occasion, but too often, the gags either don't gel or just
aren't funny. Take for instance, the obvious fart jokes. The first one works alright
I suppose, but the second one is just plain lame. And in the case of both, they
feel like they were added on a whim during the final sound mix. What's more, the
film makers blow golden cameo opportunities. For example check out the walk-on
by offbeat character actor Peter Stormare (Fargo). I expected something funny
from him, but he doesn't really do anything.
And
what about the Nacho's character arc. I know this is simply a slapstick comedy,
but the big, climactic fight at the end of the picture doesn't really make any
sense, because we never really see Nacho learn anything. While I enjoyed the outcome
of the movie, I didn't really buy into it. Furthermore, the wrestling sequences
are poorly conceived. They all meld together in uninspired fashion. A couple of
the matches start off entertaining, but quickly lose their luster.
I
don't know. Nacho Libre was alright. I liked it's underlining sweetness (how Nacho
spends his first earnings, is quite heartwarming), and I love that Black is an
energetic force to be reckoned with, but the movie as a whole is just okay. Given
the talent involved, I expected a lot more. I'm hoping that this will be one of
those flicks that grows on me with repeated viewings, but based off a first look,
I can't help but feel a little disappointed. Perhaps I should have gone in with
lower expectations.
