Jared Hess + Jack Black = Comedic integrity

Rating: 8/10 (19 December 2006)

Though this silly, lighthearted comedy was laughed off by many as juvenile fare, beneath the surface of this Mexican wrestling spoof lies a wholly original, uniquely charming, even humbly visionary tale that sees an evolution for Napolean Dynamite's breakout director Jared Hess. The off-kilter pace that became tremendously popular with that surprise hit now receives a more refined, more calibrated treatment, proving that the massive cult hit was indeed justified. Whereas Napolean felt uneven, at times unfocused, ultimately wearing it's quirk like a badge of honor, Nacho takes all the eccentric qualities inherent with Hess and tunes them to a weirdly fulfilled whole. Of course this movie would not have been half as impressionable had it not been for the comedic talents of Mr. Jack Black. Also exercising atypically unique restraint for a comedic film, Black paints the memorable caricature of confused spiritual wrestler in subtle washes of joy, allowing his usual overly-obnoxious antics to take a back seat for some of his more perceptive comedic ramblings. While his Mexican accent can clearly be seen veering all over the place, it is all in the spirit of this playful farce. The laughs may not come every second, but the cleverness and stylistic triumph stay sealed throughout. What also helps make the movie work so well is how everything is so entrenched in little known Mexican wrestling/religious culture, so that every scene radiates such unique warmth. While this admirable loyalty to source material makes for one of the more unique comedies of the year, perhaps it is that very loyalty that also helped alienate many moviegoers, seemingly perplexed by the amount of effort given to cover such a niche demographic. It is true, perhaps if you are of Spanish decent, lived in Mexico, or follow old school "Luchador" wrestling this might be more appealing, but given the small but hardcore following this movie has already amassed, I'd say it's safe to bet that anyone with an open mind for comedy would immediately be drawn to repeated viewings of this extremely independent release.