Friday night I finally saw Napolean Dynamite.

The movie is a snapshot of a while in the life of a young teenager from Idaho in his struggle to fit in. Like the vast majority of us, Napolean is not one of the popular people at school. He got strange hobbies, a strange family and is uncomfortable around girls. Sounds like me in high school...

The filmmakers have a distinct style and simply let many of the scenes happen slowly rather than pushing through the story in rapid sequences with multiple camera angles. I'm sure there's some film school term for it, but I found it refreshing.

The basic message of the film is that good things do happen to people. In the film, the characters tend to be accepting of these good things rather than waiting for great things instead. For example, older brother Kip finally meets his 'internet girlfriend' LaFawndah and falls for her. Rather than rejecting her because she is not perfect, Kip accepts that a good thing has happened and goes for it.

I think may of us could heed this message. Accepting the good things in life and not rejecting everything that isn't perfect, is something all of use should do. I'm not saying people shouldn't strive for what they want, but we should take joy and comfort in what we do have.

I had hoped for greatness and endless repeatable lines, but the film didn't rise to that pinnacle. It's a wonderful film, but it won't raise to the stature of Ghostbusters or Caddyshack when it comes to phases that enter the general vernactular. The lines are funny, but without the visuals, they kinda fall flat in normal conversation. I mean, how many times does the opportunity come around to say "The defect in this one is bleach."? It's a funny line, but rarely used. Compare that to "Dogs and cats, living together...mass hysteria!" from Ghostbusters. The ghostbusters line can find it's way into almost any conversation.

So go see this movie and enjoy the goodness.

My favorite line in the movie is by Kip: "Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter."