Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageNacho Libre (2006)
Director: Jared Hess
Movie review
From Time Out London
It must have sounded foolproof. Cast Jack Black as Brother Ignacio, a Mexican monk moonlighting as a masked wrestler to better the lot of the orphanage and you’re laughing already. Sadly, the theory doesn’t translate into practice as the director of ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ and the writer of ‘School of Rock’ together provide a masterclass in how not to be funny. Indecision seems to have been the killer. Co-produced by the children’s TV network Nickleodeon, it’s sort of a kids’ movie clearly straining to be a little bit naughtier. The love interest (Ana de la Reguera’s Sister Encarnación) hovers between pious and desirable, the comedy sidekick (Héctor Jiménez’s skeletal Esquelto) is neither wise nor funny. Gags come and go without much set-up or follow-through. It’s all flat as a tortilla. Lingering pointlessly over the Kahlo-esque backgrounds and gargoyle-faced extras, Hess’s static handling proves pathologically unsuited to Black’s enthusiastic physicality, draining the life from the ringside action and reining in the star performer. Of course, seeing him in his clinging sky blue and burgundy get-up raises a smile, but it can’t carry an entire movie. Confoundingly underwhelming.Author: Trevor Johnston
Time Out London Issue 1877: August 9-16 2006
Cast & crew
Director: Jared Hess
Producer: Mike White, David Klawans
Cast: Jack Black, Peter Stormare, Héctor Jiménez, ANA DE LA REGUERA, RICHARD MONTOYA full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: 12A
Duration: 92 mins
UK Release: Aug 11 2006
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now