Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

Director:

Jared Hess

Writers:

Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess

Stars:

Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries

10 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jon Heder	...	Napoleon Dynamite
Jon Gries	...	Uncle Rico
Aaron Ruell	...	Kip
Efren Ramirez	...	Pedro
Diedrich Bader	...	Rex
Tina Majorino	...	Deb
Sandy Martin	...	Grandma
Haylie Duff	...	Summer Wheatly
Trevor Snarr	...	Don
Shondrella Avery	...	Lafawnduh
Bracken Johnson	...	Randy
Carmen Brady	...	Starla
Ellen Dubin	...	Ilene
J.C. Cunningham	...	Jock #1
Jimmy Stevens	...	Jock #2 (as James Smooth)

Storyline

Preston, Idaho's most curious resident, Napoleon Dynamite, lives with his grandma and his 32-year-old brother (who cruises chat rooms for ladies) and works to help his best friend, Pedro, snatch the Student Body President title from mean teen Summer Wheatley.

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Plot Keywords:

high school | family relationships | tater tots | two word title | stuck in the past | 

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Taglines:

He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although title design genius Pablo Ferro (Dr Strangelove) is credited for Title Design, the front title sequence with plates of food and hand piped titling was the work of Aaron Ruell who played Kip (Napoleon's brother). Pablo Ferrer wrote 'Napoleon Dynamite' directly onto the desk at the start of the movie according to Aaron Ruell's commentary on Blu-ray, implying that Ferro did not come up with the plates of food idea.

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Goofs

When Deb calls Napoleon on the pay phone, a crew member's leg is reflected in the silver part of the phone.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Kid on Bus: What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?
Napoleon Dynamite: Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are made entirely of various items such as plates of food, a notebook, pencils, and a roll of chapstick.

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Alternate Versions

For wide release and all showings after the limited release, a scene was filmed featuring an additional five-minutes after the credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Robot Chicken: Suck It (2006)

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Soundtracks

Music for a Found Harmonium
Written by Simon Jeffes (as Simon Harry Jeffes)
Performed by Patrick Street (miscredited by production as Penguin Café Orchestra)
Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd.
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Who would have thought that a movie with no real plot could be so good...

OK, I have seen a lot of negative reviews on this movie. It made me leery of even seeing it. I work at a video store so I get to see movies before their street release date. There were a few naysayers at work, but I rented it anyway. This was a rental well spent. This is the first movie I have seen in some time that doesn't have swear words or sex in any form so it is OK for any age. If you are or ever were just a little bit geeky, Napoleon is the hero for you. This movie is much funnier to a gen-x'er. There are a lot of things that you won't "get" if you weren't a part of the 80's. All in all, I think that it is a great way to spend an evening. I am looking forward to seeing more from this writer/director.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Napoleon Dynamite

Filming Locations:

Sykesville, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$116,666, 13 June 2004

Gross USA:

$44,540,956

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$46,138,887

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Paramount Pictures, MTV Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 92 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1