The ONE to Watch: Héctor Jiménez

Rating: 7/10 (7 July 2006)

Alright, so I'm a bit biased, having recently served as Camera Operator on another film co- starring Héctor Jiménez.... Killer Pad... The hardest part of that job was trying not to ruin the sound takes with my explosive laughter!
Héctor has a great sense of physical comedy, reminiscent of Charles Chaplin... his mere appearance on screen is bemusing.
Overall, Nacho Libre shares this same kind of comic simplicity: it plays out as if the actors are on stage, relying on their own sense of timing, rather than using editing techniques to set the pace of the humor ... Jared Hess definitely understands this approach to comedy.... it is what gives Napoleon Dynamite its on-screen power.
There is a very encouraging message carried in the writing of Nacho Libre that does not overshadow the humor. The story is simple, the characters are equally uncomplicated, yet they are respectively sincere and sympathetic. It makes for a charming, warm and enjoyable "feel good" experience.
Yes, Jack Black carries the day as the movie's "Hero," but I guarantee you'll be laughing harder at Héctor! He's the One to Watch in this film.