Great Comedy, And Attractively Unusual

Rating: 8/10 (8 October 2019)

The comic timing of "Nacho Libre" directly evokes its lineage from Napoleon Dynamite: Knowingly off-kilter in its proud awkwardness, and bolstered here by Jack Black's terrific physical comedy. You can imagine Napoleon Dynamite sitting in the theater and watching "Nacho Libre," and feeling better understood by the world.
Black's character Ignacio ("Nacho") provides for orphans in his role as friar at a monastery in Mexico. But he dreams of becoming a great wrestler -- this despite his lack of prerequisite skill. Such a fun premise and set-up.
Throughout, "Nacho Libre" isn't so much hardcore slapstick as it is its own endearingly awkward bird. It's a little bit of a joy, and a deceptively unusual major studio film -- particularly in an era in which major studios can often steer clear of the unusual for fear of box office repercussions. Highly, highly recommend.