nacholibre

THE SYNOPSIS

Mexico, the 1970’s. Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) is a way of life for many of its fans. One such person is Brother Nacho (Black)--a half-Mexican/half-Scandinavian orphan who works in a Oaxacan monastery as the cook. Yet, he dreams of a more exciting (and definitely more-profitable) life as a luchador.

His plan is set in motion when he meets the new teacher, the radiant Sister Encarnación (de la Reguera) and falls in love--although he shouldn’t, since she’s a NUN! Needing money to feed the children better food, Nacho sets out to find a partner for the ring.

He finds one in feral petty thief Esqueleto (Jiménez)--and the two join forces in the ring. Even though they lose matches, the boys make some cash. Nacho feeds the orphans and the cheap monks better foods (like salad) while Esqueleto buys clothes and actually wears them.

Nacho has his eyes on the championship bout against the reigning champ, the gargantuan Ramses (real-life luchador Cesar Gonzalez a.k.a. SIlver King). Getting to him requires the actual winning of many bouts. Yet, Nacho and Esqueleto manage the feat.

Will the monks, Sister Encarnación and the orphans discover Nacho’s secret occupation? Will Nacho and Sister Encarnación hook up? Will Esqueleto ever wash? And finally, will Nacho’s stretchy pants rip?

Watch the darn movie and find out for yourself, ese!

THE CRITIQUE

So you wanna be a luchador? Better bring a mask and some cojones to the ring. That’s what I got out of this movie.

Because it sure as hell wasn’t the comedic antics of Jack Black and company. Now that’s not to say that NACHO LIBRE wasn’t funny; it kinda was--but I hate it when the previews show you the funniest parts. Comprende?

Anyway, Black is a rather likable chap who exhibits the same elfin-like, immature humor that made the late, great John Belushi a household name. But I sometimes question if he can carry a comedy on his own chubby shoulders.

He’s outfitted with an Avery Schreiber wig (for those of you too young to remember, he was the Doritos commercials guy from the 1970’s), a Friar Tuck outfit and an amusingly-horrendous Mexican accent--which he must’ve learned from the same dialogue coach who taught Al Pacino how to speak Cuban-accented Spanglish for Scarface (1983)!

I must say that the supporting cast is pretty nifty, especially lanky Héctor Jiménez and the lovely Mexican soap actress Ana de la Reguera (who I thought was Penelope Cruz when I first saw the previews). Real luchadores are also featured in the movie, giving it some needed authenticity.

Behind the camera, Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess does a competent job helming his 2nd feature. LIBRE, co-written by Hess, his wife Jerusha and School Of Rock scripter Mike White--is a hodge-podge stew of low-brow humor, fart jokes, gushy emotions and stretchy pants; and I’m not even going to mention the obvious racial overtures.

But hey, I’m not that kind of critic. That stuff doesn’t bother me, as long as the movie has its merits. LIBRE has one or two. And stretchy pants isn’t one of them!

Actually, the best things going for this movie are the lovely cinematography and production design. On the visual end, DP Xavier Perez Grobet (Monster House/Lucia, Lucia/Before Night Falls) showers us with a nostalgic palette of 70’s style lensing (warm tones/hues and gay--as in happy--colors) and perfectly-symmetrical compositions--due in part to Jared Hess’s directorial style. Nice job on the lensing.

The production design by Gideon Ponte (The Notorious Bettie Page/American Psycho) also merits mention, because it all looks good under Grobet’s lights and lenses. Other tech credits like editing, costumes and the humorous musical selections are top-drawer. By the way, former Oingo-Boingo frontman/Tim Burton regular Danny Elfman did the score.

THE BOTTOM LINE

All in all, an amusing movie that lacks any real oomph. If you put a manic character like Jack Black as your headliner--the movie had better be freakin’ funny. Enjoy NACHO LIBRE for the amusing tale, Mexican flavor and some well-done lucha action. Otherwise, it all amounts to a hill of refried beans...

CAST: Jack Black, Héctor Jiménez, Ana de la Reguera, Richard Montoya, Cesar Gonzalez

CREDITS: Director: Jared Hess; Producers: Mike White, Jack Black, Julia Pistor, David Klawans; Screenwriters: Jared Hess & Jerusha Hess & Mike White; Director of Photography: Xavier Perez Grobet; Production Designer: Gideon Ponte; Editor: Billy Weber; Costume Designer: Graciela Mazon; Music: Danny Elfman

AC/AL/V 2006 100m ENGLISH