Napoleon Dynamite

I know that only a limited audience has seen Napoleon Dynamite. In fact, due to its very limited distribution, only a few really ever will see this film.

I can tell you, though, that I haven't howled with laughter so much in such a dumb film for decade or more. There was the scene in the the old movie The Accidental Tourist, with William Hurt and Kathleen Turner, where the William Hurt character is visiting the "family" that alphabetizes their food. When the phone rings, and nobody will answer it - it just made me burst out laughing. That scene, so underplayed and overly true, was one of the funniest, most subtle stabs at humor that I had ever seen. Now that is replaced by Napoleon.

The IMDb review sums up the plot fairly accurately:

"Napoleon Dynamite" is the story of the days and nights of a super geek teenager. Being a geek must be exhausting for him because he looks like he is going to pass out every time he stands up. Napoleon rambles through life. We see him make friends and enemies. Soon Napoleon realizes his mission. He wants to help his new pal Pedro become the class president. All his drawing and dancing skills will come in handy as he tries to make all of their dreams come true.

This is such a subtle, twisted type of humor - that you will know within the first 5 minutes whether you will laugh your heart out, or whether you should stand up and walk out of the theater.

This film is the funniest one star movie you are ever likely to see. I heartily recommend it to all those who crave a good laugh as they get an all too true view of warped lives.