Review of Gentlemen Broncos (2009) by Kimberly W — 27 May 2010

So, if you loved the obscurity and awkwardness of "Napoleon Dynamite", but kept thinking to yourself, "I wish the directors would've made it 3x funnier and added more "what-the-fuck-is-going-on" moments, then I implore you to rent this movie.

The screenwriters are a husband/wife duo who made "Napoleon Dynamite" on a tiny budget and cast friends of theirs. Now, four years later, they have a slightly larger budget and were able to cast some fantastic comedic actors. Michael Angarano (sadly, best known for being Kristin Stewart's ex-boyfriend) is attractive and plays trembling nerd like no one else. I can't wait to see him in more films. Jennifer Coolidge (a.k.a Stiffler's mom) has been in almost all of the Christopher Guest films, so I knew she'd knock it out of the park. Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) made his performance on his voice alone. Mike White (fantastic writer for Freaks and Geeks, School of Rock) was amazing. And Sam Rockwell, once a brilliant actor, is now a god on earth for doing some of the things he did in this movie. And even all of the unknown supporting cast had me screaming out loud with laughter. I love how the unknowns looked like real people, unlike so many extras cast in films.

The writers/director team mentioned above is Mormon, which is why their films have been peppered with fake cursing, like 'dang', and 'frickin'. But it truly makes the film more quaint and hysterical in its own way. Unlike Napoleon Dynamite, there were more eludes to nudity and bodily functions. The writers were able to take it a little more to the next level without completely compromising who they are. Another thing I like about their writing style is that they truly push the envelope of awkwardness, by carrying out looks and conversations to the point where the audience is cringing. Yet those were some of the scenes I laughed at the hardest.

There will be many people who will rent this and hate it...and hate me for suggesting it. But what made "Napoleon Dynamite" so fantastically kitschy and this one not? Same types of jokes. Same filming style. Better film. Be open-minded, or at least buzzed.