Napoleon’s changes are ‘Dynamite’

PEGGY ROGERS

Regardless of where they live, on one of the coasts or somewhere in

the middle, teenagers are put through the same daily routine. Rich or

poor, popular or not, the majority of teenagers are living with

parents who set the house rules, and they go to school and survive

with the help of their friends. Some teenagers sail through the

experience, for others, such as Napoleon, it’s a challenge and

probably always will be.

Napoleon lives with his granny and older brother, Kenny, in a

small Idaho town. Barely conscious of life, Napoleon drags himself

from home to school and back home again in abject misery, which makes

him an unlikely hero, even for an independent film. He’s not good

looking, personable or showing any signs of intelligence. Napoleon

doesn’t do anything, doesn’t want to do anything and likes doing

nothing.

His lack of parental guidance -- granny is always out with friends

-- coupled with indifference from teachers and staff at school (blame

the budget cuts), and a brother whose idea of having a job is logging

on to a chat room for four hours a day, leaves Napoleon completely on

his own to make his way in through his teen years. Like a newly-

hatched baby sea turtle on the shore who must find its way to the

ocean intact, Napoleon may innately know he is supposed to make his

own way in life, he just isn’t ready to get started. That is, until

he makes friends with a new kid at school and a girl.

The power of the friendships affects and changes Napoleon’s life

in small but significant ways that become the focus of the rest of

the story. He begins participating in normal teenage activities like

school dances and elections, and working odd jobs to earn spending

money.

“Napoleon Dynamite” walks a fine line between poking fun at the

gangly and nerdish teenager, and invoking pity toward him because he

and his friends live in an economically challenged town with

economically challenged families. Events swing from laughing at

Napoleon being slammed into his locker by school bullies to seeing

the effects of living on a limited income when he is the only one

performing without a costume during a school talent show.

The film’s salvation comes from the subtle transformation Napoleon

undergoes in spite of being unpopular and strapped for cash. Napoleon

stops sitting on the sidelines, gets involved in activities and

begins trying new things. Teenagers, even nerdy ones, come out of

their shells when they make friends and start exploring relationships

with the opposite sex. Some of the film’s funnier scenes come from

watching Napoleon’s reaction when a girl he likes accidentally

touches his hand.

Friendship is a running theme throughout the low budget

independent film. Big brother Kenny undergoes a more dramatic

personality change because of his chat room friendship. Their uncle

lives in his van after being kicked out by his long, long longtime

girlfriend. “Napoleon Dynamite” is all about friendships. Even the

relationship between Napoleon and the school bullies undergoes a

slight, but significant change.

* PEGGY J. ROGERS, 40, produces commercial videos and

documentaries.