My film of choice is Napoleon Dynamite.
This film presents an unusual look at the classic American teen ideology because at its very core it aims to prove the cruel reality of general teenage life instead of the Hollywood look on teens. It does this principally by setting the story in the suburbs and in the local high school but instead of depicting the hustle and bustle of teenage life in a busy California school the setting of the state of Idaho is coated by an over whelming sense of boredom.
This is why the film focuses on the odd character of Napoleon who finds his solace in drawing and his wild imaginations which are never shown or depicted most likely to keep the atmosphere of cognitive depravity. Instead of following the classic high school flick of the girl or boy who becomes popular over time or of the geek that seizes the day by confronting the high school bully, the film instead finds the lowest of the crop in an already removed school.
Like the rest of the characters Napoleon has no grasp on Fashion or current culture which in some aspects relates to the American geeks which have their own sub culture to attend to. However Napoleon is so detached that he can’t even seem to find friends to enjoy is imagination with. This means that the character of Napoleon is viewed as neither a geek nor a popular student but instead has his own identity; this leads most to think that he may even be retarded. But this is not only apparent in Napoleon but in every other character as they all have their own vividly obscure dreams. Kip his brother trains to be a cage fighter and chats up ‘babes’ on the internet, his Uncle dreams of being a world class football player.
The attitude and speech of Napoleon reflects an inner sense of loathing for everything around him as he avoids subtleties such as sarcasm and instead speaks openly and negatively about most things. This is extremely different to the classically enthusiastic morals that the teens of America carry, their inability to show true feelings behind certain subjects is completely destroyed by Napoleon’s self destructive ways.
Ultimately all students at this high school try to follow the same stereotype of the American teenager and this is reflected towards the end of the film where the story-line actually seems to exist and even Napoleon prepares for the event to encompass all teenage dreams: the prom.
The film still, rather unfortunately, follows the well established conventions of teen films and teen stereotypes and instead of breaking this as intended, the film actually proves that its existence can be found almost anywhere, even in the deep corners of a cut off county. This just goes to show that even when trying to create a film that parodies the classic teen lifestyle of America, it can’t avoid follow the conventions of teen movies.
Part two
Part three
Napoleon - Alternative
Its only by Napoleon's appearance that we guess he is representing the geek sub culture which has become popular of late. However this image is sadly not enforced by his personality or by his actions instead the view of the geek is reformed around Napoleon's escapist nature which is shown by outlandish claims and miniture explorations of his wild imagination. Napoleon states during the film that he spent his summer with his Uncle in Alaska hunting wolverines.
Because at no point Napoleon expresses an academic talent or follows the stereotype of being smart the geek representation is being rewritten to include those who are so individual they know only the boundaries of themselves.
This new image is carried so far the film even shows the classic geek doing something as creative as dancing, in front of his peers. The way this is shown is to be a complete opposite to the American stereotype of a geek.
Pedro - Redundant
Although Pedro is almost the exact replication of Napoleon in his attitude and behaviour his identity doesn't change through the film as does Napoleon's and Deb's because they grow together. Instead Pedro remains in representing the spaced out geek or loner that has no real connection to the classic American teen stereotype or with any British identities. This is shown classically in his ineptness where by he shaves all of his hair off because he thought it was making him too hot.
His involvement in the film is so small and with very little significance his purpose can be whittled down to just comic value, as shown by this extra video seperate from the film and based upon the bike scene within the film.
Bike scene
Pedro Advert
Deb - Alternative
As Deb experiences the same progression as Napoleon but expresses it in a much more clearer way by changing her appearance she is also part of an alternative group. She is first shown as another unpopular lone student but as the film enters her identity more we see a complete different side to her. This video describes her first interactions with Napoleon.
Part four
Given that my film selection is a comedy of such an odd level its purpose at first glance can only be to make fun of the American lifestyle that is apparently enforced in all aspects of film. This view boasts that films are engineered by adults of authority to direct young American and even young British lives into an idealistic lifestyle. But what if a film is made by the younger audience especially one that has their own view.
I believe that Napoleon Dynamite seeks to make fun of American teen films but unfortunately still falls into the trap of showing teenagers the lifestyle they should live. However its comic intentions are much more apparent so the classic structure of a teen flick is blurred.
Ultimately its more the case that the makers of the film have already fallen foul to believing in this classic view of teenage hood so have created their own film based on its structure.
Thankfully however the film doesn't enforce any traditional standards but instead paints such a dull lifestyle that the effects of its standard are cancelled out.
Part five
I strongly believe that my chosen text has absolutely no intention to teach me or any others and this is purely based upon how absurdly unusual it is and the mind numbing atmosphere it brings. Its comedy is so individual and almost boyish in its own right that its pure and simple purpose is to bring all viewers back to a childish sense of logic and to laugh at a collective people that all lead tragically dull lives.
This leads me to conclude that because of the sheer comedic value of the film, it is only trying to entertain its viewers.
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