During my last day in Newfoundland, we had taken the time to watch a particular film.
The previous nights before, we went to Blockbuster to rent a movie. We found Nacho Libre. We haven’t watched it before, so we thought it would be a good movie seeing as it stars Jack Black. They didn’t have any in stock when we asked for it, so we went back again when they restocked and got it for free.
At the very last minute, I had discovered that a change in my flight back was not a mere change of seats as I had assumed, but a change of departure time. It was not early morning as planned, but late afternoon.
So, with our newly found time together, we enjoyed our final hours watching the first episodes of Arrested Development and our free rental.
Nacho: I’m a little concerned right now. About… your salvation and stuff. How come you have not been baptized?
Esqueleto: Because I never got around to it ok? I dunno why you always have to be judging me because I only believe in science.
Jack Black is uncanny. Even when you kind of get the feeling that this will be a movie hard to like, Black gets the film’s direction and charms you to love it.
Nacho Libre is an odd movie. A high profile director on a Nickelodeon project isn’t odd enough, the plot seems throwaway, yet is handled in the greatest of care.
The director Jared Hess and Black squeezes every bit of adorability out of Nacho and what you have here is a very simple film for most of the family, with some signature dialog and physical humor. But simple as it is, director Hess incorporates his tendencies for long shots of structure and character reactions, as well as awkward dialog. In many scenes, this does not translate well to the overall impression of the film, as it shows more a long drawn out movie than a natural comedy.
In it’s minimalist way, Nacho Libre is very well made otherwise. Many aspects are authentic enough to be actually taken seriously. As well, most of the wrestling is actual wrestling, with little of the exaggerated idol ism.
Black’s character execution helps the message behind the film. As the main character’s goals are instantly evident, they evolve to a more positive and morale statement at the state of the sport. Idol ism becomes a valiant effort at charitable intent. As well, the underlining, but not overwhelming, love story drives the intent with such delicacy.
The religious aspect of the story adds complexion to the character, as he originates as a cook in the monastery he was raised in. His aspiration to become respected as a luchador conflicts with the beliefs he was raised under, in which he dons a mask to hide his identity. Many times in the film, there are dialog exchanges that tackle the argument of religion, at times Black’s character struggles with the application of religion to his desires, but most are in good fun. The few that counter with the belief of science just begs for deeper meditation, or at the very least a proper compromise.
As Nacho Libre is very odd film, it is as much an odd Jack Black film. If you have ever watched Punch Drunk Love, this is very similar.
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Originally posted on:
The PHA