Napoleon Dynamite

If this didn't seem so much like a film made to make those same kids bust a gut laughing at nerds, the ploy might even have worked.". 2005 Billboard Music Awards. It also allows the film to score some unearned points by taking a stand against the inevitable, dull tyranny of the popular kids. Her favorite sports teams are the Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Lakers. Club states "a seemingly ill-considered run for class president that provides Napoleon Dynamite's only semblance of a plot. She is a big sports fan. Keith Phipps of The Onion A.V. Carrie Underwood and Drake Clark agreed to break it off since the two were not spending enough time together.

Many other critics voiced that, while the film's humor was unique, the movie's target audience and apparent intentions met too ironically, forming an ultimately useless plot. During American Idol she dated Drake Clark, also from Northeastern State University. Some praised the movie for its unconventional humor, while others decried the film for much the same reason. Pictures of the two of them surfaced when Chad Eagelton posted pictures of him and Carrie at the Maxim after party on his Facebook account. Critically, Napoleon Dynamite was very divisive. As of November 2005, Carrie Underwood is currently dating Northeastern State University student Chad Eagleton. Although the only official movie merchandise is the DVD, many retailers are selling unofficial clothing and other merchandise based on the film, particularly "Vote for Pedro" t-shirts designed to look like the amateurish shirts worn in the movie. [4].

Repeating memorable quotations from the movie, such as "Sweet!","Heck yes", "Gosh", "Freakin' idiot", "Tina you fat lard, come get some dinner!", "My lips hurt real bad!" and "Vote for Pedro", has become a trendy part of popular youth culture. "Don't Forget to Remember Me" was recently announced as the next single. Napoleon Dynamite has had a very noticeable impact on popular culture since its theatrical release in June 2004. On January 9th 2006, Some Hearts was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA with shipments of over 2 million units, making it the fastest-selling debut country album in the history of Nielsen SoundScan.[3]. The uniting nature of diversity is more clearly expressed in a scene after the end credits in which Kip and LaFawnduh are married, where people of all backgrounds come together to celebrate within the predominantly white, conservative town. In December 2005, Underwood was named "Oklahoman of the Year" by Oklahoma Today magazine. Although presented subtly, diversity is a common theme in the film: Napoleon and Kip find victory and love, respectively, in African-American culture; Pedro, a Mexican, triumphs over the stereotypical blonde-haired American cheerleader. The large first week sales of Some Hearts made it #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and the biggest debut of any country artist since the advent of the SoundScan system in 1990.

To that end, Kip ditches the Internet for LaFawnduh and subsequently a new style, Rico's ex returns to him, Deb dons a new hair style, Pedro wins over his new classmates, and the popular crowd becomes integrated with those previously considered unpopular. When the week's sales figures were tabulated, Some Hearts entered the Billboard 200 chart with 315,000 copies sold. Towards the end of the movie, however, everyone snaps out of the past and into the present. [2] On that same day, she presented an award and performed "Jesus, Take The Wheel" at the 39th Country Music Association awards in New York City. This is evident in Deb's fashion sense (her hair and wardrobe), Uncle Rico's appearance and wistfulness, Kip's fashion sense (a nerdy, retro wardrobe and excessively large glasses), and Pedro's bewilderment at being reprimanded for practicing a "Mexican tradition". Her initial album release, entitled Some Hearts, hit store shelves on November 15, 2005. Virtually everyone in the movie is stuck either in the '80s era or a past state-of-mind. The single also debuted at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it currently sits at #26 after reaching a peak at #25.

All the characters of Napoleon Dynamite experience a rite-of-passage. It is currently ranked at #1 in its thirteenth week on that chart. When asked when his movie was set, writer/director Jared Hess simply replied, "Idaho.". It received so much airplay that it debuted at #39 on the Billboard Country Chart in its first week, setting a record. The films of Wes Anderson, for instance, have the same out-dated electronics/music/clothing while still taking place in the present. Underwood's second single, "Jesus, Take The Wheel" was made available for radio airplay on October 18, 2005. One could argue that such anachronisms have become popular in hipster film culture. Underwood is also the latest spokesperson for Skechers shoes, following in the footsteps of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

The retro aspects of the movie have been suggested by some to be a depiction of cultural stagnation, or an homage to similar genre films of the 1980s, such as Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The T-Shirts are now available to buy with proofs of purchase. Finally, Napoleon's school ID card, as shown in the opening credits, clearly reads "2004/2005," unambiguously setting the movie in the present-day. She is also wearing vintage Hershey T-shirts that feature Hershey's, Almond Joy, Kit Kat, Reeses and other chocolate brand logos. The hydraulically equipped car in which Napoleon gets a lift to the dance - and the music playing therein - are fairly modern icons. The commercials have Underwood singing Hershey jingles like the jingles for Hershey's, Kit Kat and Almond Joy. Yet Uncle Rico (who appears to be in his late 30s to early 40s) frequently refers to his high school glory days of 1982 (the date on which he set the aforementioned "time machine"). In the same year, she starred in ads for Hershey's Chocolate.

However, the model of computer is arguably from at least the early to mid 1990's and he is using a dial up internet service that charges users by how long they have been on, a practice uncommon in the US since at least 1997. Underwood performed a well-received "The Star Spangled Banner" before Game 4 of the 2005 NBA Finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan. Kip uses the Internet for dating and purchasing a "time machine". [1] The B-side is "Independence Day", a cover of the Martina McBride hit. The type of tupperware Uncle Rico is seen selling door-to-door has not been available for purchase for many years. Underwood's version was shunned by country radio reaching a peak of #59 on the country charts. Throwbacks to the 1990s come from music by the Backstreet Boys and Jamiroquai used in the choreography of Summer and Pedro's skits. The single debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with first-week sales of 170,000 copies, and briefly stopped Mariah Carey's run at #1 with "We Belong Together." One week later, runner-up, Bo Bice, released his version of the song, which debuted at #2.

Other vestiges of earlier decades include fashion trends that reflect those of the 70s and 80s, and a VCR in the Dynamite residence that resembles those from the early days of video technology. As part of her title, Underwood gained a recording contract with Arista Records; her first single, "Inside Your Heaven", was released on June 14, 2005. For example, the music playing at the school dance is from the 1980s, featuring Alphaville and Cyndi Lauper. During the season, Constantine Maroulis tried to flirt with her but she refused to go out with him. While the film is set in the present day, it contains many anachronisms. On her last song of the night in the final two, Carrie's spectacular performance of "Angels Brought Me Here" had Simon saying, "I think you've done enough to win the competition." On May 25, 2005, she became the fourth winner of American Idol, beating Southern rocker Bo Bice, and she joins Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken as the only contestants who have never been one of the "bottom three" singers during any week's results. Napolean goes to Deseret Industries, a thrift store operated by the LDS Church to buy his infamous suit. I will make a prediction, not only will you win this competition, but you will sell more records than any other previous 'Idol' winner." Cowell went on to say on the March 30 show that she has the "it factor" that will make her a star.

Catholic crosses and statue images are placed prominently in some scenes, particularly at Pedro's house. On the March 22 show, after a performance of Heart's "Alone", Simon Cowell said, "Carrie, you're not just the girl to beat, you're the person to beat. At the same time, the director seems to have taken care to not project an overt presence of Mormon culture. After singing Martina McBride's "Independence Day" Simon Cowell said he couldn't believe no one has discovered her yet. Fashions in Mormon culture tend to be more modest than those of popular culture. She can also play piano and yodel, the latter of which was demonstrated on the Tonight Show the night after she won. Characters, even those intended to be the popular girls, do not wear shorts any shorter than knee-length. On the April 20 elimination show, Underwood demonstrated her ability to play the guitar.

polygamy laws in the nineteenth century. Underwood's musical influences include pop, but are predominantly country; she stated during Idol auditions that her favorite singer is Martina McBride. The principal's reference to "Juarez"—where he assumes Pedro is from—is a reference to Colonia Juarez, a Mormon colony in Mexico founded to evade U.S. She also competed in numerous beauty pageants at the university and was selected as Miss NSU runner-up in 2004. In the DVD extras, there is an interview with Jon Heder in which he jokes that perhaps Napoleon and Deb may be "sealed for time and all eternity"—a reference to the Mormon belief in "eternal marriage" or "sealing" performed in LDS temples. Underwood attended Northeastern State University, where she majored in mass communication and is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. I'd vote for you.") He wears a t-shirt that reads "Ricks College", the former junior college located in Rexburg, Idaho now known as BYU Idaho. Underwood graduated from Checotah High School in 2001 as salutatorian.

(For Example: "What the flip was Grandma doing at the Sand Dunes?" or "Heck yes. At the age of 13, her manager at the time tried to get a recording contract at Capitol Records, but due to management changes at Capitol it never materialized. Napoleon uses euphemisms like flip, gosh, and heck that are common in Mormon circles, as alternatives to swearing. Carrie Underwood was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma and raised in a farm in Checotah, Oklahoma. The film also displays many quirky references to Mormon popular culture. . In April 2005, the Idaho state legislature approved a resolution commending the filmmakers for producing Napoleon Dynamite, specifically enumerating the benefits the movie has brought to Idaho as well as for showcasing various aspects of Idaho's culture and economy [1]. Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is an American country singer who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol.

Napoleon T-shirts have also become somewhat hot commodities in 2005, selling at many stores that sell novelty shirts, such as Hot Topic. Top-Selling Country Single of the Year: "Inside Your Heaven/Independence Day," Carrie Underwood (Won). Preston held a Napoleon Dynamite Festival celebrating the film on June 24-25,2005, and an estimated 6,000 people attended the two-day event. Country Single Sales Artist of the Year: Carrie Underwood (Won). Since the release of Napoleon, it has become a tourist attraction of sorts, with the school, Preston High School, being a main feature. Top-Selling Hot 100 Song of the Year: "Inside Your Heaven/Independence Day," Carrie Underwood (Won). Preston, Idaho is a real town located near the Utah border, and is predominantly Mormon. Final Results Show (post-win performance of first single) - "Inside Your Heaven".

As Jon Heder jokingly said in an interview: "I think they might one day find it in their hearts to unite for eternity.". Final Results Show (performance with Rascal Flatts) - "Bless the Broken Road". The film follows Napoleon Dynamite's friends Pedro (Efren Ramirez) and Deb (Tina Majorino) as they become true and close friends, and as Deb and Napoleon "hook up". Final Results Show (duet with Bo Bice) - "Up Where We Belong" (O.A.: Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker). The movie has no strong plot, but the largest sub-plot of Napoleon Dynamite revolves around Pedro Sanchez's quest to become Class President of Preston High School. Finals Top 2 Performance 3 (song originally written for Australian Idol) - "Angels Brought Me Here" (O.A.: Guy Sebastian). Napoleon's nerdy, unemployed (and nearly unemployable) brother Kip spends most of his day "chattin' with hot babes" on the internet--with his surprising success serving as one of several sub-plots within the movie. Finals Top 2 Performance 2 (favorite from season) - "Independence Day" (O.A.: Martina McBride).

Napoleon lives with his 32-year-old computer-geek brother Kip and their grandmother, who sends the somewhat dim ex-high school jock, Uncle Rico, to look after them while she is hospitalized. Finals Top 2 Performance 1 (new song written for AI) - "Inside Your Heaven". As the film-makers state in the DVD commentaries, much of their own social awkwardness growing up in Utah was the inspiration for the characters. Finals Top 3 Performance 3 (Judges' choice) - "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" (O.A.: Shania Twain). The movie is semi-autobiographical. Finals Top 3 Performance 2 (Performer's choice) - "Making Love out of Nothing at All" (O.A.: Air Supply). Though the film has been described as "quirky", it is not in the same vein as the Wes Anderson films, as the main character, his brother, and some of his friends' behaviors mirror a flatness and ennui characteristic often associated with his generation. Finals Top 3 Performance 1 (Clive Davis' choice) - "Crying" (O.A.: Roy Orbison).

The film showcases Napoleon's personality and circle of equally quirky friends, family, and associates in his predominantly Mormon hometown of Preston, Idaho. Finals Top 4 Performance 2 (Gamble and Huff Songs) - "If You Don't Know Me by Now" (O.A.: Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes). The film follows the protagonist Napoleon Dynamite, an introverted, dorky high school student with a penchant for "tots", drawing fantasy creatures, fishing for bass, and telling implausible stories. Finals Top 4 Performance 1 (Nashville Songs) - "Sin Wagon" (O.A.: The Dixie Chicks). . Finals Top 5 Performance 2 (Billboard top 40) - "Bless the Broken Road" (O.A.: Rascal Flatts' version of Marcus Hummon's "Bless the Broken Road"). It was filmed in Preston, Idaho. Finals Top 5 Performance 1 (Leiber and Stoller Songs) - "Trouble" (O.A.: Elvis Presley).

In 2005, it won three MTV Movie Awards, for Breakthrough Male Performance, Best Musical Performance, and Best Movie. Finals Top 6 Performance (Songs of the 21st Century) - "When God Fearin' Women Get the Blues" (O.A.: Martina McBride). Although it is popular with people of all ages and generations, it is particuarly popular among members of Generation Y, who seem to identify with the film to some degree. Finals Top 7 Performance (70's Dance Music) - "MacArthur Park" (O.A.: Donna Summer's version of Richard Harris' hit). The DVD was released on December 21, 2004. Finals Top 8 Performance (Songs from Contestants' Birthyear) - "Love Is a Battlefield" (O.A.: Pat Benatar). The film cost only $400,000 to make. Finals Top 9 Performance (Broadway Musicals) - "Hello Young Lovers" (O.A.: Johnny Mathis).

Napoleon debuted in 2004, earning $116,666 in its limited release opening weekend, $2,083,493 in its wide release opening weekend, and over $44.5 million as of January 1, 2006. Finals Top 10 Performance (Songs of the 90's) - "Independence Day" (O.A.: Martina McBride). The movie is based on the short film he directed at Brigham Young University with Jon Heder, Peluca, which was discovered at the Slamdance Film Festival. Finals Top 11 Performance (Billboard #1's) - "Alone" (O.A.: Heart). Napoleon Dynamite is an American independent film written and directed by Jared Hess. Finals Top 12 Performance (Songs of the 60's) - "When Will I Be Loved" (O.A.: The Everly Brothers). "Music for a Found Harmonium" by Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Semi-Final Performance 3 (Women Top 8) - "Because You Love Me" (O.A.: Jo Dee Messina).

"Light In Your Eyes" by Sheryl Crow. Semi-Final Performance 2 (Women Top 10) - "Piece of My Heart" (O.A.: Faith Hill's version of Janis Joplin's classic). "The Rose" by Bette Midler. Semi-Final Performance 1 (Women Top 12) - "Could've Been" (O.A.: Tiffany). "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. Hollywood 2 - "Independence Day" (O.A.: Martina McBride). "The Promise" by When In Rome. Hollywood 1 - "Young Hearts (Run Free)" (O.A.: Candi Staton)".

"So Ruff, So Tuff" by Zapp and Roger. Louis Auditions - "I Can't Make You Love Me" (Original Artist: Bonnie Raitt). "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai. St. "Design" by Fiction Company. "Larger than Life" by Backstreet Boys.

"Forever Young" by Alphaville. "A-Team Theme". "We're Going to Be Friends" by The White Stripes. About 10 minutes and 03 seconds into the movie the awful looking meal that Grandma sets out for Napoleon to feed to Tina was supposed to be Hamburger Helper but when the scene was filmed it was actually Tuna Casserole with Homemade Croutons mixed in.

Jon Gries who plays Uncle Rico also does not drink milk. Between scenes, Jon Heder helped to make the boondoggle keychains which are featured conspicuously in the film. Exactly 11 minutes and 42 seconds into the film Napoelon says to Deb "I already get my hair cut at the Cuttin' Corral." The Cuttin Corral is an actual hair salon in Preston, Idaho. (Which is 200,000 dollars.).

It cost half as much to film the single extra scene than it did to film the rest of the movie. The extra scene at the end of the movie was actually included in the theatrical release of the film, not just on the DVD. Preston High School, Napoleon's high school, has started an actual "Happy Hands Club" since the release of the film. Heder also said that they started to smell.

By the end of the movie they were falling apart and were being held together by duct tape. Napoleon's "moon boots" belonged to Jerusha Hess' Uncle Wally and he let Jon Heder use them for the film. The "Happy Hands" Club was inspired by a real club at Preston High School called The "Good Hands" Club. They are listed horizontally from left to right.

All 189 student extras in the film are individually listed in the closing credits. She was played by Aaron Ruell's (Kip) wife, Julia Ruell. The lady on the bicycle who approaches Rico near the end of the film is his ex, who is mentioned earlier in the movie. The music used in the campaign poster montage is the A-Team theme song.

Joanne had a Barbie Doll and he grabbed it and tossed it out the window on a shoe lace. The scene where Napoleon is riding on the school bus and holding an action figure out the window is a reference to a prank Jon Heder played on the way to third grade with a girl named Joanne who had recently moved to his town from Labrador City, Newfoundland. Towards the beginning of the film, Napoleon draws flatulence coming out of a Unicorn's rear-end. The Director had Jon Heder dance to three different songs for the ending Dance Sequence and they took out the various songs during editing, and left the Dance Moves in and they fit together really nicely.

The boy sitting with Napoleon in the back of the bus was a local who came in for audition. Several scenes in the movie are the results of improvisation, such as Kip's reaction to backing over the Tupperware bowl and Uncle Rico knocking his video camera off of his tripod with his football. The Sound Designer put in many fly buzzing sounds throughout the film as the flies are shown. The wigs attracted flies throughout filming, as seen in the film.

Jon Gries and Efren Ramirez wore wigs for the role of Uncle Rico and Pedro. Heder mentioned in a post-production interview that he figured "almost half" of the dance moves came from watching John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Some of the moves included were inspired by *NSYNC and Michael Jackson. Jon Heder freestyled most of his dance routine with the help of Tina Majorino (Deb), who is a hip-hop instructor.

It changes from 7-17 to 7-21. He later looks at it again 47 minutes and 53 seconds into the film and if you look carefully at the top right of the watch the date changes. Exactly 46 minutes and 41 seconds into the film Napoleon looks at his watch. After Uncle Rico throws a steak at Napoleon's face, he takes a piece of steak out of his mouth and quickly places it on his plate.

When he arrived for the first day of shooting his hair "Looked like Shirley Temple's hair." said Director Jared Hess. Jon Heder lied to the Cast and Crew and said he got his hair permed for Napoleon at the same place he got it done for the short film Peluca. Jon Heder had his hair permed for the "Napoleon" look. Jon Heder's hair is not red for the last "flippin" time.

[3]. The retail store Target removed all of their Napoleon Dynamite talking pens after complaints from disability advocates over Napoleon's phrase "You guys are retarded". Jon Heder drew all of the "drawings" in the movie except the unicorn. The movie grossed over $40,000,000 in the United States.

Jon Heder was paid just $1,000 to play Napoleon. The movie was edited in producer Jeremy Coon's apartment using a $6,000 Macintosh with Final Cut Pro. Efren Ramirez liked the wig he wore for the majority of the movie so much he asked the producers if he could keep it; they said yes. Tina was also Deb's real name coinciding with the fact that Napoleon said "Tina you fat lard, come get some dinner!" (refering to the llama shortly after Deb left).

The bus LaFawnduh Lucas arrives in is a Pocatello city bus. They are not, however, "bred for their skills in magic". Napoleon's favorite animal, the liger, is actually a real animal, and exists in zoos as a result of mating a male lion with a female tiger. Executive producer Jeremy Coon has stated that the similarity is a coincidence and that the producers were unaware of Costello's usage of the name until the film was in production.

"Napoleon Dynamite" was a pseudonym used by Elvis Costello in the credits of his 1986 album Blood and Chocolate. The friend accidentally drove her Cobalt into the ocean, and Hess told her that was not the way to become a deep sea diver. This is an inside joke between Jon Heder and Jerusha Hess about a friend of Hess' who wanted to be a deep sea diver. In the DVD version, Napoleon makes an obscure remark about pearls.

He joined this club because "all of the other sweet clubs were filled" (this is revealed in the deleted scene "Second Locker Room" on the Napoleon Dynamite DVD). Napoleon enjoys dancing, and belongs to the "Happy Hands" club, which practices sign singing. The music used in the scene where Napoleon showcases his dancing skills is "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai. Ricks was a junior college in Idaho that became Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2001.

During some scenes of the movie, Napoleon is seen wearing a Ricks College T-shirt. Jon Gries (who plays Uncle Rico) is a vegetarian, and spat out every bite of red meat he chewed during filming. The title sequence was designed by famed film designer Pablo Ferro. The dishes shown in the opening credits are all eaten on at some point in the movie, and in the case of cast members, eaten by their respective characters.

Howard Stern frequently plays soundbites from the movie when his line producer JD Harmeyer is on the air or simply being discussed. Napoleon will be parodied in the February 2006 comedy Date Movie. Jon Heder and Efren Ramirez also reprised their roles in a series of commercials advertising the 2005 Utah State Fair. It was leaked online [[2]].

Bill Gates plays himself but it seems that he's the "Kip" of the skit. The skit is just 5 minutes of Napoleon Dynamite if he was going to become head of Microsoft. Heder has recently appeared in a skit shown at a conference where Bill Gates was presenting Windows Vista. Jon Heder and Efren Ramirez reprised their roles in the Adult Swim show Robot Chicken, which would involve Napoleon in the role his namesake was in.

In the 2005 National Spelling Bee, after asking for the definition of a word, one student recited the line "Do the chickens have large talons?", then proceeded to spell the word. Ilene (Ellen Dubin). Tina ("Dolly") is the stubborn llama that belongs to Napoleon's grandmother. He frequently injures and robs Napoleon and other nerds.

Randy (Bracken Johnson) is the school bully. According to Rico, there is a lot Napoleon and Kip do not know about her. She breaks her coccyx on a jump while driving a Trike (ATV) at the sand dunes while on a date. Grandma (Sandy Martin) is the divorced grandmother of Napoleon and Kip.

He is a very confident man and is married to Starla (Carmen Brady), a female bodybuilder. He is an ex-ultimate fighter and charges a large fee for his services ($300 for an 8-week program). Rex (Diedrich Bader) is sensei of the "Rex Kwon Do" martial arts dojo. In the post-credit sequence, she and Kip are wed.

After spending time with her, Kip changes his clothes and demeanor to mimic African-American or white rapper stereotypes. She is tall, stylish, and African-American contrasting with Kip's short stature, awkward demeanor, and pale complexion. LaFawnduh Lucas (Shondrella Avery) is a woman Kip met over the Internet. Her mother is a "client" of Rico.

She is a member of the school's "Happy Hands Club" along with Napoleon. Trisha Stevens (Emily Kennard) is one of Summer's good friends, and is forced into going with Napoleon to the school dance. He helps Summer on her campaign for class president and occasionally teases Napoleon and Pedro. Don (Trevor Snarr) is Summer's cocky boyfriend.

Summer Wheatley (Haylie Duff) is a stereotypical blonde cheerleader against whom Pedro runs for class president. During this time, he and Kip bumble through a variety of business engagements, such as selling Tupperware and herbal breast augmentation. He watches Kip and Napoleon while their Grandma is in the hospital due to a broken coccyx. Uncle Rico enjoys eating fried steak.

He longs to go back in time and change his fortunes, certain he had the potential to join the NFL. He played football in his younger days ("back in '82"), and is constantly living in the past. Rico lives in an old RV in the middle of a field. Uncle (Kyle) Rico (Jon Gries) is the sleazy uncle of Napoleon and Kip.

He and Napoleon live with their grandmother. Kipland "Kip" Ronald Dynamite (Aaron Ruell) is Napoleon's wimpy older brother ("like 32 years old") who enjoys online dating and claims to be training to become a cage fighter. Deb seems to be the most articulate character in the film. She often wears her hair in a single ponytail off to one side.

She is interested in photography, and spends her time trying to earn money for college by selling glamour shots and boondoggle keychains. Deb (Tina Majorino) is a shy and awkward schoolmate, a friend of Napoleon and possible love interest. His cousins are portrayed as the "cousins with all the sweet hook-ups" and help him protect a boy from having his bike taken. He runs for class president, and that is the overall plot of the movie.

He is occasionally the target of mild antagonism on the part of the school principal. Pedro Sanchez (Efren Ramirez) is a new student that the Principal of Preston High says is from Colonia Juárez, Mexico. It would seem he was named after Elvis Costello's pseudonym, as seen on the back of the album Blood and Chocolate, but director Hess denies any such connotation. He enjoys drinking milk.

His best friends are Pedro and Deb. He is active in the Future Farmers of America and his school's Happy Hands Club. He enjoys Tater Tots and tetherball. He has very poor social skills and an awkward appearance.

Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder), the film's protagonist, is supposedly a stereotypical geek who loves to draw fantasy creatures.