Napoleon Dynamite: Funny or Not?

This issue divides people’s opinions: was the movie actually funny or not?

I think Napoleon Dynamite falls into the category of “unfunny” funny movies. That is, those that think it’s funny think so because it’s kind of not funny. And those who don’t think it’s funny, well, in a way they agree to that.

The movie has a very particular pace that works against creating any kind of excitement. This of course just emphasizes the feeling of “meaninglessness” we suspect in Napoleon’s world. That’s exactly what’s boring to some, and exactly what’s cool to others. Napoleon is not the ubergeek of the 80s with special mental powers who can control a supercomputer. He’s actually a bit of a geek, but with no real talents – more of a shaded character that feels so real, with a lot of real-life ambiguity about him.

Similar ambiguous characters walk the streets in the movies of Todd Solondz or the comic books of Daniel Clowes, where the total outsider is always a bit of a bully as well so it won’t be easy to emphasize with him. Just think of when Napoleon calls his brother “retard”. Both Solondz and Clowes’ work also shows a fail of the anti-hero to show any kind of expression, both in artwork as well as facial expression (Daniel Clowes fans will remember “Dan Pussey”, who just like Napoleon was under the complete delusion his cartoons were any good; or think of the documentary director in Solondz’ Palindromes).

Yet Napoleon doesn’t realize any of that and doesn’t despair, and this is funny and tragic at the same time. At least, to some!

Philipp Lenssen on Saturday, Dec 3 2005 reg. Napoleon Dynamite.