Nacho libre: the movie Spielberg wishes he made

Rating: 10/10 (22 January 2020)

By Sam Hamshari
Are you looking for a film that includes the marvelous Jack Black working in a monastery speaking with an accent that vaguely resembles that of a Mexican man while moonlighting as a luchador to pay for orphaned children's meals? Well, boy, do I have the movie for you: Nacho Libre. This action-packed thriller of an underdog story is best highlighted by the use of thematic music, perfectly appropriate acting, and a setting that makes the audience feel like they're really there in the ring with Nacho himself.
Nacho Libre depicts a middle-aged monk (played by Jack Black) cooking for the children of a monastery and being constantly put down by the other monks. He comes to the realization that in order to win the affection of a newfound love interest named Encarnacion (played by Ana de la Reguera) and save the children of the orphanage from a life of dirty meals and dull religion, he must become a luchadore and fight for what he believes in.
Jack Black hits the part of "Nacho" out of the park with his slightly off-brand Mexican accent in combination with his horrible facial hair, and perfectly fitting gastrointestinal difficulties. There seems to be a sense of humor to Nacho's character that the audience can relate to. He is truly a proper vessel to deliver the sense of humor of the movie has to offer. While most jokes hit right on the money, I will admit that punchlines can sometimes be a bit predictable or even a bit dull.
This flaw is dramatically overcome, however, with director Jared Hess' almost Tarantino-like style of scene composition. At one point in the movie, rather than focus on each individual fight of Nacho's career, Hess composes a montage of many different times Nacho gets (and I'm being polite here) the crap kicked out of him. The scenes in the montage consist of very little dialogue, and perfectly fitting mariachi music. This advances the story without taking up too much of the audience's time. He doesn't only organize the scenes effectively and in a concise manner. Hess also uses color and textures in the background to give the audience the feeling that they really are in an impoverished Mexican city filled with people trying to make a name for themselves. He uses tracking shots and close-ups to convey a sense of intimacy with the characters and scenery. The real marvel in this film, which won the movie it's "BMI Film Music Award", is the film score. The authentic Mexican tunes playing in key moments helps set the mood or even excite the audience in critical scenes.
In the end, the film's lighthearted approach to a Latin American underdog story delivers a beautiful message to the audience: believe in your dreams. A character who the audience can relate to as being awkward and having high aspirations shows us that dreams can come true. This masterpiece acknowledges its own humorous nature and still manages to turn itself into a heartwarming story of a monk who just wants to do good for his community.
I strongly recommend Nacho Libre to anybody in need of a pick-me-up. In fact, regardless of your mood I would recommend that you experience Nacho Libre at least once in your life. You might be surprised by its beautiful composition, fitting score, and perfect mediocre acting. All of these elements combine flawlessly to deliver an action-packed story that is sure to impress any avid moviegoer.