Idaho State Journal, January 22, 2004

'Napoleon Dynamite' ruler of Sundance fanfare

by Sarah Keech, Features Editor


   PARK CITY, UTAH - It's one of the lucky Sundance films to be picked up for worldwide distribution - for an estimated $3 million. The premiere received a standing ovation. The streets of Park City are littered with people wearing buttons reading "Vote for Pedro" and "Vote for Summer."
   What does that all add up to? A rave review for "Napoleon Dynamite."
   Napoleon (Jon Heder) is not your typical high school geek; he's that and more - much more. Napoleon Dynamite lives a less than ideal life in rural Preston, Idaho - a place where that slightly off-kilter kid sticks out, and not for any of the good reasons.
   At home he's the kicking bag for his Internet-romance-obsessed older brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) and a wild four-wheeling llama-raising granny. Then there is his Uncle Rico (Jon Gries). If the name "Rico" didn't bring enough creepy images to mind, just seeing the slick guy in his Wal-Mart-esque pullover, constantly reliving his glory days of high school football will make anyone feel a little sympathy for Napoleon.
   It's the ultimate story of the guy who just can't catch a break. From getting ditched at the big school dance by the girl of his dreams to a $1 an hour job at the chicken farm to his wardrobe of tight jeans, T-shirts with airbrushed horses and the constant moonboot footwear, Napoleon is one sad sap.
   But once you get to know him, you fall for Napoleon. He tries hard - harder than most would ever attempt - to fit in, make friends, get a girl and simply be accepted as himself.
   Hanging out with the new guy in town, Pedro (Efren Ramirez), Napoleon begins to realize there is life outside the stifling existence he lives. Napoleon starts to come out of his shell, and a friendship with a neighborhood gal-pal, Deb (Tina Majorino), becomes a deeper relationship.
   The film's high point, and Napoleon's breakthrough moment, comes during a high school election. When the equally outcast Pedro decides to take on Preston princess Summer Wheatley (Haylie Duff) for the right to rule the school as class president, Napoleon steps up and helps his best friend. Without warning, and with guts of steel, Napoleon does what no one at PHS would guess of the goofy guy in glasses: dance the disco.
   If you like the indie hit "Election," with a then little-known star named Reese Witherspoon, you will be an automatic fan of this great film.
   "Napoleon Dynamite" was directed by Preston High School alumnus Jared Hess, who co-wrote the screenplay with his wife, Jerusha. The film was shot in Preston over a 22-day period in July 2003.
   The film was recently purchased for distribution by Fox Searchlight Pictures and will soon be in theaters nationwide.

   **** (out of 4)
   Stars: Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Efren Ramirez and Aaron Ruell
   Director: Jared Hess
   Time: 86 minutes
   Playing at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah