Movie Review: Nacho Libre

Sometimes, Martin goes to the movies. In this place, he sees films. He reviews them. They end up on...

Rant at the Screen

Today's film is Nacho Libre. There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who can say 'Gosh!' all day, and those who want to hit Napolean Dynamite with a brick. I'm sure Nacho Libre will form a third faction: those who think that after Napolean, this director/writer will have jumped the shark. I say unto these people... "I hate all the orphans in the world!"

Just as quotable, we follow the story of a Mexican friar. In his youth, he dreamed of joining the ranks of Lucha Libre, the mexican wrestling circuit. However, he grew up to become the cook of the missionary church that raised him, and now serves badly cooked stew to all the orphans. When a beautiful nun moves into the church, he finds the courage to do something for his orphans: get them enough money to eat. How? The local Lucha Libra competition. Joining together with a street-dwelling atheist ("I only believe in science."), they embark on a journey into the crazy world of mexican wrestling.

Every line is delivered in a bumbling style. Every character in the story has something weird, crazy, and possibly just plain stupid going on. But every little joke pays off in the end. Whether it's a love of flavored corn or being attacked by hungry midgets, it's the same good laugh. Especially good are the moments of slapstick among the absurdity.

A lot of absurdity.

So... I give it 4 out of 5 GOSHes.