‘Nacho Libre’ scores with laughs, heart

I figure a lot of you will disagree with me on this one but here goes: I really enjoyed “Nacho Libre.” You must take this into consideration: I love Jack Black and I loved “Napoleon Dynamite.” For this film, these are two hefty prerequisites.

This is the story of a berated monk named Ignacio or Nacho for short (Jack Black who learned Spanish for the role). He has dreams of wrestling glory. In Mexico, the Luchadors (wrestlers) are the rockstars. They have the money, the women and the adoration of the community. Nacho has none of these. The intro shows Nacho as a kid (an orphan) as he designs and makes his own costume. It is priceless. The monks quickly steer him away from the ring and into the kitchen. But they could never extinguish what Nacho was in fact, born to do.

Nacho keeps his dream at bay until a traveling nun breaks the dam. Of course this is no ordinary nun. It is quite possibly the hottest nun nundom ever nunned, Sister Encarnacion (Ana de la Reguera). So Nacho stirred by love, enters the ring and royally gets his hiney handed to him — at first.

Written and directed by Jared Hess, “Nacho Libre” succeeds in one aspect above “Napoleon Dynamite” (Hess’s last film): it has heart. Nacho wrestles for the orphans (not at first, at first it’s all for the nun, but later Nacho realizes he’s become a hero). Anyway, I felt like Hess was just making fun of a character before and this time, he’s asking us to believe in one and care for one. That’s a mature and promising leap.

Hess uses the score as it was meant to be: It’s infused into the film. It is inseparable. A different score and choice in music (mucho Beck, bueno!) would’ve changed the movie itself.

The DownLow: Basically, if you like Jack Black and you liked the humor of “Napoleon Dynamite” then “Nacho” will go proudly on your mantle, if not your garbage disposal will get some exercise. I know many people really didn’t get “Napoleon Dynamite.” The same tactics are used in “Nacho.” There is even a new Pedro, Esqueleto (a hilarious Hector Jimenez. Where does he find these guys?) It’s a character driven comedy. It’s as detailed and deliciously eccentric as one of Wes Anderson’s films.

To the parents: it’s PG and an excellent one for the kiddies over 9 or so. I don’t remember anything too questionable (Nacho is bit gassy and the actual wrestling is pretty slapstick).

Rating: If movies were tastes, “Nacho Libre” would be an acquired one.

“Superman” awaits.

E-mail Patrick Vincent at fromthemoviemaven@hotmail.com.