Movie Review: Nacho Libre

I was extremely surprised by this movie. I expected something more like Napoleon Dynamite, and I'm glad it was so very different. I usually hate vehicle movies - once you've seen 1 Adam Sandler movie, you've seen them all. Once you've seen 1 Jim Carey comedy you've seen them all. Carey's dramatic stuff is different. So I was very skeptical, but my brother told me a year ago that this was a great one. So I took the plunge.

Premise: the movie's premise is perfect - original, based in reality, and just odd enough to be funny by itself. It's neither ludicrous nor predictable.

Acting: once you accept the premise and throw any ideas about reality away, the acting perfectly fits the stage that is set. Nacho is a friar who secretly wants to be a wrestler. Somewhere along the way, he gets to fulfill his dream. But he is conflicted when his fame and money get in the way of his priestly duties. And the beautiful nun (that has amazing hair and makeup) is tempting, too. He's a conflicted good-hearted soul, as are all the other characters. Jack Black (the only marquee name in the film).

Nobody over-acts, which is easy to do in a straight comedy. There is no hint of Monty Python-style acting here. It's very normal, easy to watch. Natural.

Directing: this film was directed with a light touch - nothing about it is heavy-handed. The director really gets out of the way and lets the movie happen. I'm sure this is difficult to do.

Cast: perfectly cast. Nobody in the cast looks like a movie star except the nun. And that is as it should be.

So I loved this movie. I haven't written much about it. What makes it different? It's a comedy that is not in a race to deliver one-liners at a gallop. This movie makes you laugh, but you have to wait for it. And it's a pleasant wait. It's like a walk through a forest teeming with wildlife - it's a nice place to be, and then from time to time you are surprised by something, and it's wonderful. Also, I love the fact that I can put this movie on for my 3 and 4 year-olds and know that it's entirely safe. No swearing, nothing sexual. Remarkable restraint in a comedy of any ilk.

So it's a gorgeous film, and I hope more are made to the same standards. Time to go watch it with my kids again!