August 27, 2004
Fox
Comedy
DVD
B
While this movie remains unique in its deadplan blend of Idahoisms and '80sishness, I can in retrospect see it in a line with, for instance, Juno (2007), although that is a higher-budget, bigger-names film. (If the most recognizable members of your cast are a second-banana from The Drew Carey Show and Hilary Duff's sister, then it's fair to say you're working with unknowns.) Like other teen comedies of its time (not just indy of course, I'm including Mean Girls in this), its quotability led to many memes then and later. However, much of the movie can't simply be conveyed in the lines; the line-readings and facial expressions (especially the more stilted ones) also matter.
Watching the movie again, I was struck by how innocent it is. The swearing is deliberately mild (on a "geez" level), and the violence is not at all graphic. Even the romances, such as they are, wouldn't be out of place in a pre-teen movie. I think this reflects Napoleon's own innocence. The movie generally presents a world that fits Napoleon's perceptions, like his views of friendship and revenge. One touch I like is that he and his relatives believe that time travel is possible, when it's 2004 and they're all surrounded by the trappings of the '80s, including the soundtrack. Overall, I don't find the movie hilarious or profound, but its quirkiness is endearing, and I like that the characters finally smile towards the end.
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