Felix reviews Napoleon Dynamite
Felix Editors review a classic 2004 film about a socially awkward teenager.
Nadeen Daka:
"While watching Napelean Dynamite, I kept waiting for it to cohere into something logically meaningful. Its oddness lends itself to multiple interpretations, but maybe that ambiguity is intentional. You can interpret it as a study of friendship, an exploration of loneliness, or simply a deadpan twist on coming-of-age tropes. But ultimately, all I took away from it was that, maybe, I should dance like nobody is watching more often."
Gilbert Jackson:
"Napoleon Dynamite is a stand-alone in the “high school” genre of films. Unlike the works of John Hughs, which portray a somewhat exaggerated picture, Napoleon Dynamite is an honest small town depiction, conjured from the director’s own experiences. As such it has moments of embarrassment and hilarity that feel more relatable and genuine. Not only that but it has a unique way of highlighting just how developmentally diverse students can be, instead of simply lumping kids into cliques based on “cool or not cool”, a somewhat reductive Hollywood trope."
Aditi Mehta:
"Watching Napoleon Dynamite was like living through a bizarre fever dream. It’s the type of movie I would be conscious to admit I liked, because doing so would be an admittance that after sitting through 90 minutes of Jared Hess’s (and by extension, my own) most intrusive thoughts brought to life on screen, I came out unfazed, and almost more content for it. I would be conscious because I think it would reveal what a total and absolute nutcase I am. So I guess it was alright?"
Peter Griffin:
"Well, since we’re all gonna write about this one, there’s one more secret I feel I have to share with you. I did not care for Napoleon Dynamite. “How can you even say that?”, you ask, “It’s like the perfect movie.” Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries… fine actors, did not like the movie. Couldn’t get into it. It insists upon itself. I have tried on two separate occasions to get through it – it was screened by Imperial Cinema Soc during my fresher’s week, and then again at a Felix editor social – but I can’t even get through it, I can’t even finish the movie."
