Nacho Libre [PG]

[PG]
Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon
Release Date: June 16, 2006

[yasr_overall_rating]

 

Director: Jarred Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera, Héctor Jiménez, Darius Rose, Cesar Gonzalez
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Nacho Libre is the second major film by director Jarred Hess, of Napolean Dynamite fame. Like his first film, much of the comedy here comes from both social- and self-mockery.

Other than Jack Black (School of Rock, King Kong), the film’s unequivocal star, the cast is made up of relatively unknown actors as well as actual mexican luchadors. Perhaps this is only to add to the greatness that Hess offers in his films as there seems to be a deliberate determinedness to succeed with less than what is expected. However, this takes nothing away from Black in what is arguably his best work to date, perhaps surpassing even his critically acclaimed 2003 hit School of Rock. While Black has shown little consistency in past films, with School of Rock he solidified himself as a legitimate comedic actor who could carry his own film. Nacho Libre not only further proves that point, but allows Black to show that he can be a successful character-actor as well.

Nacho (Black) is a kind-hearted, yet discontented Friar who resides at a monastery, working with orphans. Much of his unhappiness is due to his position in the monastery, bearing little responsibility other than cooking meals for the orphans and doing objectionable side jobs for his elder colleagues. Often disrespected by his peers, yet adored by the children with whom he works with, Nacho has longed for the fame and respect of the locals that is often attained by the luchadors, as is made evident from the film’s opening sequence, However, because of his title in the church, this adoration for wrestling must be well-concealed.

As with any story where the protagonist has to overcome a certain amount of obstacles in order to find what it is he is looking for, only to find that he’s had it within him all along, Nacho seeks inner strength from his higher power. Cliché as it is, the film has fun with it, making a joke out of Nacho’s search for solitude and new direction. The comic genius throughout Nacho Libre comes when referencing ridiculous religion customs, examples of such being when Nacho explains how his mother, a Scandanavian missionary, and father, a Mexican deacon, each attempted to convert each other but ended up getting married instead, or how when Nacho’s tag-team partner, Esqueleto (Héctor Jiménez), who doesn’t believe in God because he only believes in science, has his head dumped into a bowl of holy water by his partner, getting baptized against his own will. Esqueleto’s adamance of only believing in science is proclaimed throughout the movie, and is one of the better side-jokes on display. Others often include Nacho’s infatuation with a newly-recruited nun, Sister Encarnación (Ana de la Reguera), and the relationship that develops between the two. Often, the dialogue shared between the two leave a lasting impression as these are easily some of the funniest interactions of the movie.

Jack Black truly shines in this film as he tends to deeply explore Nacho, rarely breaking character. There are two scenes in the film where Black does go off a bit, and typically, it is when he sings, with both songs being hysterical for different reasons. The first instance has Nacho finding himself in an unlikely situation as he is posing as a musician with the sole purpose of such a disguise being to meet Ramses (Cesar Gonzalez), his favorite luchadore, and offer him a proposition. The song that he is to “dedicate” to Ramses is rather humorous and it only offers a preview for what is to come as the second song is of greater length and has much more material to indulge in. The latter song has Nacho perform a serenade of sorts, behind closed doors of course, to his beloved Sister Encarnación, with the situation itself being ridiculous as the only other person in the room with him is Esqueleto. This is where Black really goes into his shtick, although there are no negative effects sustained from these instances.

Looking past all of the clichés, Nacho Libre is a simple, enjoyable, family-oriented film and it works under all of those conditions. There is a sense of innocence on display here and it works well. Perhaps considered a children’s movie, Nacho Libre is an enjoyable romp that should please viewers of all ages. Highly recommended for Jack Black and Jarred Hess fans alike.

 

– Christopher Griffin