Hilarious and Surprisingly Spiritual "Nacho Libre", Jared Hess's follow-up to his wildly successful "Napoleon Dynamite", isn't quite in the same class as that instant classic, but it's a very funny film in its own right. It has the added benefit of star Jack Black, who is his usual inspired, manic self as the friar-turned-aspiring-masked-Mexican-wrestler Nacho. This film was like one of those old Bugs Bunny, Warner Brothers cartoons crossed with a Flannery O'Connor short story. I think O'Connor would have liked the idea of a wrestling friar torn between his religious vows and his dreams of wrestling glory. The film also stars Ana de la Reguera as Sister Encarnacion, the object of Nacho's chaste crush, and an actress so pretty it almost hurts to look at her.
This movie is not just extremely funny, but it deals in a very light-hearted way with some weighty spiritual issues. Nacho could be any young person who wants to achieve in the corrupt larger world. (Remember, his adversary is the mean champion Ramses, named after the evil old Pharaoh.) Nacho wants to win but he also wants to stay loyal to his own moral code. It's only when he forgets himself and his own ego, and loses himself in service to the orphans, that he is able to find the power to win (and to win the heart of the lovely Sister.) The abiding theme of this sweet little comedy is kindness and charity, and how those values can be funny because they seem so incongruous with the rest of the world. This is a movie whose reputation should only grow as more and more people grow familiar with it.
Great movie that will keep you sniggering My kids and I saw this the day it received its cinema release when we were in the States in June and absolutely loved. We couldn't wait to get the DVD to relive the many great moments. When I first saw it back in June I thought it was pretty good, but not a real side-splitter. But just like Napoleon Dynamite its a real 'grower' and even now scenes from the movie still pop into my head for no reason and I chuckle to myself.. "Today it is especially delicious..." may not be true of Nacho's culinary creations, but it is true of this movie. It's great fun. It will make you laugh and we already have it in our DVD collection. So put on your stretchy pants and enjoy Nacho Libre. "I Am I Am" ~ Holy Man In Tights `Nacho Libre' released in '06 is an uncomplicated physical comedy starring the very popular Jack Black doing what he does best.
Synopsis: Nacho (Jack Black) is a poor monk living in a south of the border monastery. His main duty is to provide the daily meals for his fellow monks and the orphans they care for. Beyond his missionary obligations Nacho dreams of being a great wrestler one day. He has already decided that Nacho Libre will be his ring name as he wiles away his spare time designing his mask and costume. When Sister Encarnacion (Ana de la Requera) arrives at the monastery Nacho becomes even more determined to realize his dream and impress the beautiful nun.
There's nothing challenging here, just a silly, lighthearted film good for a laugh or two. If you're a Jack Black fan you'll love it. Not quite worth -4 Stars- but a solid 3 1/2.
