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.". Many Jewish families have also had "family Purims" throughout the centuries, celebrated at home, whereby they celebrate their escape from persecution, an accident, or any other type of misfortune. It also allows the film to score some unearned points by taking a stand against the inevitable, dull tyranny of the popular kids. According to some sources, the influential Rabbi Moses Sofer (the Hatam Sofer), who was born in Frankfurt, celebrated Purim Vintz every year, even when rabbi in Pressburg. Club states "a seemingly ill-considered run for class president that provides Napoleon Dynamite's only semblance of a plot. This commemorates the Fettmilch uprising (1616-1620), in which one Vincenz Fettmilch attempted to exterminate the Jewish community [1]. Keith Phipps of The Onion A.V. The best known is Purim Vintz, traditionally celebrated in Frankfurt am Main, one week after the regular Purim.

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. Many cities have until recently had local "Purims", all commemorating the deliverance of the local community from a particular anti-semitic ruler or group. Some praised the movie for its unconventional humor, while others decried the film for much the same reason. Shushan Purim, is celebrated by those in Jerusalem the day after Purim. Critically, Napoleon Dynamite was very divisive. Orah Hayyim, 697). 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. 46b; comp.

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. i. Napoleon Dynamite has had a very noticeable impact on popular culture since its theatrical release in June 2004. The distinctions between the first and the second Purim in leap years are mentioned in the Mishnah (Meg. 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. The respective days of the first Adar being then called Purim Katan ("Little Purim" in Hebrew), for which there have been set forth certain observances similar to those for Purim proper, with the exception of reading the Megillah, sending gifts to the poor, and fasting on the 13th of the month. 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. In leap years on the Hebrew calendar, Purim is celebrated in the second month of Adar, but by the Karaites in the first month of Adar.

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. The fast on the 13th is still commonly observed; but when that date falls on a Sabbath, the fast is put back to Thursday, Friday being needed to prepare for the Sabbath and the following Purim festival. Towards the end of the movie, however, everyone snaps out of the past and into the present. Some, however, used to fast three days in commemoration of the fasting of Esther; but as fasting was prohibited during the month of Nisan, the first and second Mondays and the Thursday following Purim were chosen. 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". 2a, "The 13th was the time of gathering", which gathering is explained to have had also the purpose of public prayer and fasting. Virtually everyone in the movie is stuck either in the '80s era or a past state-of-mind. 18 and Meg.

All the characters of Napoleon Dynamite experience a rite-of-passage. ix. When asked when his movie was set, writer/director Jared Hess simply replied, "Idaho.". The first who mentions it is Rabbi Aḥa of Shabḥa (8th cent.) in "She'eltot", iv.; and the reason there given for its institution is based on an arbitrary interpretation of Esth. The films of Wes Anderson, for instance, have the same out-dated electronics/music/clothing while still taking place in the present. The Fast of Esther, celebrated before Purim, on the 13th of Adar, is not an original part of the Purim celebration, nor was it later instituted "in commemoration of the fasting of Esther, Mordechai, and the people", since this fasting fell, according to rabbinical tradition, in the month of Nisan and lasted three days. One could argue that such anachronisms have become popular in hipster film culture. This custom is no longer practiced.

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 Rabbis themselves, to avoid danger, tried to abolish these customs, often even calling the magistracy to their aid, as in London in 1783. Finally, Napoleon's school ID card, as shown in the opening credits, clearly reads "2004/2005," unambiguously setting the movie in the present-day. 309, 317, and Cassel, l.c.). The hydraulically equipped car in which Napoleon gets a lift to the dance - and the music playing therein - are fairly modern icons. ii. 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"). Schudt, l.c.

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. These customs often aroused the wrath of Christians, who interpreted them as a disguised attempt to ridicule Jesus and the cross; prohibitions were issued against these displays; e.g., under the reign of Honorius (395-423) and of Theodosius II (408-450; comp. Kip uses the Internet for dating and purchasing a "time machine". As soon as the reader began to read the Megillah, the house with all its occupants was set on fire to the enjoyment of the spectators. The type of tupperware Uncle Rico is seen selling door-to-door has not been available for purchase for many years. The whole was then put on the almemar, where stood also the wax figures of Zeresh (Haman's wife) and two guards — one to her right and the other to her left — all attired in a flimsy manner and with pipes in their mouths. Throwbacks to the 1990s come from music by the Backstreet Boys and Jamiroquai used in the choreography of Summer and Pedro's skits. In Frankfurt am Main, Germany, it was customary to make a house of wax wherein the figures of Haman and his executioner, also of wax, were placed side by side.

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. In Italy, Jewish children used to range themselves in rows, and pelt one another with nuts; while the adults rode through the streets with fir-branches in their hands, shouted, or blew trumpets round a doll representing Haman and which was finally burned with due solemnity at the stake. For example, the music playing at the school dance is from the 1980s, featuring Alphaville and Cyndi Lauper. As early as the fifth century, and especially in the Geonic period (9th and 10th centuries), it was a custom to burn Haman in effigy on Purim. While the film is set in the present day, it contains many anachronisms. Some of them date from the Talmudic period. Napolean goes to Deseret Industries, a thrift store operated by the LDS Church to buy his infamous suit. Outside the synagogue the pranks indulged in on Purim by both children and adults have been carried even to a greater extreme.

Catholic crosses and statue images are placed prominently in some scenes, particularly at Pedro's house. In some congregations, people who do not dress up have to perform a forfeit, such as having to sing a song, or being squirted with a water pistol. At the same time, the director seems to have taken care to not project an overt presence of Mormon culture. Jews are also encouraged to dress up, with many people dressing up as pop stars, animals or even nuns. Fashions in Mormon culture tend to be more modest than those of popular culture. For example, many congregations will read the prayers in ways which would be considered sacrilegious on any other occasion during the year - for example, asking the congregation to have a race, where the prayers would be read as fast as possible, or singing some prayers to the tune of widely-known songs, which may even be Christian, to add to the stupidity. Characters, even those intended to be the popular girls, do not wear shorts any shorter than knee-length. Purim is also a time for other unusual goings-on.

polygamy laws in the nineteenth century. The custom of using noisemakers in synagogue on Purim is now almost universal. 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. Some of the rabbis protested against these uproarious excesses, considering them a sinful disturbance of public worship, but did so in vain. 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. For noisemaking, others used a noisy rattle, called "gragger" or "greggar" (from Polish grzégarz). 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. Some wrote the name of Haman on the soles of their shoes, and at the mention of the name stamped with their feet as a sign of contempt.

(For Example: "What the flip was Grandma doing at the Sand Dunes?" or "Heck yes. Ultimately, the stones fell into disuse, with the knocking alone remaining. Napoleon uses euphemisms like flip, gosh, and heck that are common in Mormon circles, as alternatives to swearing. 19) is explained to mean "even from wood and stones", the rabbis introduced the custom of writing the name of Haman, the offspring of Amalek, on two smooth stones and of knocking or rubbing them constantly until the name was blotted out. The film also displays many quirky references to Mormon popular culture. xxv. 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]. In accordance with a passage in the Midrash, where the verse "Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek" (Deut.

Napoleon T-shirts have also become somewhat hot commodities in 2005, selling at many stores that sell novelty shirts, such as Hot Topic. For example, during the public service in many congregations, when the reader of the Megillah mentions Haman or his sons, there is boisterous hissing, stamping, and rattling This practice traces its origin to French and German rabbis of the 13th century. 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. Indeed, Purim was an occasion on which much joyous license was permitted even within the walls of the synagogue itself. Since the release of Napoleon, it has become a tourist attraction of sorts, with the school, Preston High School, being a main feature. This pastry's triangular shape is recognized as a symbol, representing the tri-cornered hat which Haman (Purim's chief villain) wore. Preston, Idaho is a real town located near the Utah border, and is predominantly Mormon. These are flattish triangular pastries, with a pocket in the center, traditionally filled with a sweet poppy seed (or sometimes prune) based filling, but more recently made with almost any sweet filling, including fruit or chocolate.

As Jon Heder jokingly said in an interview: "I think they might one day find it in their hearts to unite for eternity.". During Purim, it is traditional to eat festive meals and to serve hamantaschen (taschen [pockets] of mon [poppy seed]). 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". A popular song is "Ani Purim". 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. For the children's sake certain verses from the Book of Esther have been sung in chorus on Purim. 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. Purim songs have been introduced even into the synagogue.

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. In Israel there are Purim parades, and men, women, boys and girls frolic publicly in costumes and masks, and indulge in all kinds of jollity. 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. The custom is still practiced today amongst religious Jews of all denominations, and among both religious and non-religious Israelis. The movie is semi-autobiographical. Although some rigorous authorities issued prohibitions against this custom, the people did not heed them, and the more lenient view prevailed. 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. He expresses the opinion that, since the purpose of the masquerade is only merrymaking, it should not be considered a transgression of the Biblical law regarding dress.

The film showcases Napoleon's personality and circle of equally quirky friends, family, and associates in his predominantly Mormon hometown of Preston, Idaho. 17, quoted by Moses Isserles on Orah Hayyim, 696:8. 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. 1508 at Venice) in his Responsa, No. . The first among Jewish authors to mention this custom is Judah Minz (d. It was filmed in Preston, Idaho. From Italy, this custom spread over all countries where Jews lived, except perhaps the Orient.

In 2005, it won three MTV Movie Awards, for Breakthrough Male Performance, Best Musical Performance, and Best Movie. The custom of masquerading on Purim was first introduced among the Italian Jews about the close of the fifteenth century under the influence of the Roman carnival. 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. In remembrance of how God remained hidden throughout the Purim Miracle, Jews dress up on Purim and many hide their faces. The DVD was released on December 21, 2004. Although Jews believe that everything turned out in the end for the best as a direct result of divine intervention (that is, a series of miracles), the Book of Esther lacks any mention of God's name and seemingly appears to have been nothing more than a result of natural occurrences. The film cost only $400,000 to make. However, there is also an important concept of hester panim, or "hidden face," a reference to God's role in the Purim miracle.

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. Many commentaries state that Haman's daughter committed suicide after dumping the rotting contents of a trash bin on her father's head, thinking that he was Mordechai). 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. Mistaken identity plays an important role in The Book of Esther, as Esther publically hid her cultural origins from the public, Haman was forced to lead Mordechai on horseback through the capital city Shushan (Haman had thought that the King would order Mordechai to lead Haman around, and this led to confusion among Haman's followers. Napoleon Dynamite is an American independent film written and directed by Jared Hess. Costumes and masks are worn to disguise the wearers' identities. "Music for a Found Harmonium" by Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Children in particular enjoy dressing up as the characters found in the Scroll of Esther, including King Ahasuerus, Queen Vashti, Queen Esther, Mordechai, and the evil Haman.

"Light In Your Eyes" by Sheryl Crow. Dressing up in masks and costumes is one of the most entertaining customs of the Purim holiday. "The Rose" by Bette Midler. Some men dress in women's attire and vice versa. The traditional tunes of prayers sung in the synagogue are sometimes altered, always in deliberately humorous ways. "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. Many kinds of merry-making and mockery have been indulged in on Purim, so that among the masses it has become almost a general rule that "on Purim everything is allowed", even transgressions of certain Biblical laws. "The Promise" by When In Rome. The Rama effectively pushed a message of moderation, saying that one should only drink a little more that what one is used to drinking and he concludes with "Whether one drinks more or drinks less, the main thing is that his intention is for the sake of Heaven." The Rama encouraged merry-making, but total intoxication was condemned.

"So Ruff, So Tuff" by Zapp and Roger. In response, some commentators like Moses Isserles (The Rama) who worried about the abuse of this rule, developed less literal ways to understand this invitation. "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai. While Jews have long been noted for a lack of alcohol abuse, drunkenness was licensed on this holiday. "Design" by Fiction Company. 7b) that one should drink on Purim until he can no longer distinguish "Cursed be Haman" from "Blessed be Mordechai", a saying which was codified in the authoritative code of Jewish law, the Shulkhan Arukh. "Larger than Life" by Backstreet Boys. The jovial character of the feast was illustrated in the saying of the Talmud (Meg.

"Forever Young" by Alphaville. Thus Ashkenazi Jews eat Hamantaschen and Hamanohren (in Italy, orrechi d'Aman), Kreppchen, Kindchen, etc. "A-Team Theme". Jews developed special pastries for this holiday; cakes were shaped into special forms and were given names having some symbolic bearing on the historical events of Purim. "We're Going to Be Friends" by The White Stripes. Hence it was the rule to have at least one festive meal, called Seudat Purim, toward the evening of the 14th. 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. The national rather than the religious character of the festival made it appear appropriate to celebrate the occasion by feasting.

Jon Gries who plays Uncle Rico also does not drink milk. In some congregations, it is customary to place a charity box in the vestibule of the synagogue. Between scenes, Jon Heder helped to make the boondoggle keychains which are featured conspicuously in the film. It was obligatory upon the poorest Jew, even on one who was himself dependent on charity, to give to other poor — at least to two people. 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. No distinction was to be made among the poor; anyone who was willing to accept charity, even a non-Jew, was to be allowed to participate. (Which is 200,000 dollars.). In the synagogue, regular collections may be made on the festival, and the money is distributed among the needy.

It cost half as much to film the single extra scene than it did to film the rest of the movie. Jews send gifts of food (called "Mishloach manot"), especially pastries, to one another, and Jews give charity to the poor. The extra scene at the end of the movie was actually included in the theatrical release of the film, not just on the DVD. Over time, this became one of the most prominent features of the celebration of Purim. Preston High School, Napoleon's high school, has started an actual "Happy Hands Club" since the release of the film. The Book of Esther prescribes "the sending of portions one to another, and gifts to the poor". Heder also said that they started to smell. The Bobov purimspiel is still performed annually, at midnight, inside the Bobov main synagogue in Brooklyn.

By the end of the movie they were falling apart and were being held together by duct tape. The Bobov Hassidic group has never ceased performing its Purimspiel. Napoleon's "moon boots" belonged to Jerusha Hess' Uncle Wally and he let Jon Heder use them for the film. Because satire was deemed inappropriate for the synagogue itself, they were usually performed outdoors in its court. The "Happy Hands" Club was inspired by a real club at Preston High School called The "Good Hands" Club. By the 18th century in eastern Romania and some other parts of Eastern Europe, Purim plays -- Purimspiels -- had evolved into broad-ranging satires with music and dance, precursors to Yiddish theater, for which the story of Esther was little more than a pretext: indeed, by the mid-19th century, some were even based on other stories, such as Joseph sold by his brothers, Daniel, or the Sacrifice of Isaac. They are listed horizontally from left to right. Other writings (dramas, plays, etc.) intended for general edification, both in Hebrew and in other languages, have been composed as well.

All 189 student extras in the film are individually listed in the closing credits. These include a large number of hymns intended for the public service. She was played by Aaron Ruell's (Kip) wife, Julia Ruell. Purim gave rise to many religious compositions, some of which were incorporated into the liturgy. The lady on the bicycle who approaches Rico near the end of the film is his ex, who is mentioned earlier in the movie. 8-16, the story of the attack on the Jews by Amalek, the progenitor of Haman, is also to be read. The music used in the campaign poster montage is the A-Team theme song. xvii.

Joanne had a Barbie Doll and he grabbed it and tossed it out the window on a shoe lace. 30b), Ex. 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. According to the Mishnah (Meg. Towards the beginning of the film, Napoleon draws flatulence coming out of a Unicorn's rear-end. According to Jewish law the Megillah may be read in any language intelligible to the audience. 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. It has been also customary since the time of the Geonim (early medieval era) to unroll the whole Megillah before reading it, in order to give it the appearance of an epistle.

The boy sitting with Napoleon in the back of the bus was a local who came in for audition. 26, 29) to the Book of Esther. 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. ix. The Sound Designer put in many fly buzzing sounds throughout the film as the flies are shown. In some places, however, it is not chanted, but is read like a letter, because of the name "iggeret" (epistle) which is applied (Esth. The wigs attracted flies throughout filming, as seen in the film. The Megillah is read with a traditional chant differing from that used in the customary reading of the Torah.

Jon Gries and Efren Ramirez wore wigs for the role of Uncle Rico and Pedro. 3, which relate the origin of Mordechai and his triumph. 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. 15-16, and x. Some of the moves included were inspired by *NSYNC and Michael Jackson. 5, viii. Jon Heder freestyled most of his dance routine with the help of Tina Majorino (Deb), who is a hip-hop instructor. The congregation was to recite aloud with the reader the verses ii.

It changes from 7-17 to 7-21. 7-10) in one breath, to indicate their simultaneous death. 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. ix. Exactly 46 minutes and 41 seconds into the film Napoleon looks at his watch. For example, the reader is to pronounce the names of the ten sons of Haman (Esth. 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. The Talmud added other provisions.

When he arrived for the first day of shooting his hair "Looked like Shirley Temple's hair." said Director Jared Hess. However, the Talmud, a later work, prescribed three benedictions before the reading and one benediction after the reading. 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. In the Mishnah, the recitation of a benediction on the reading of the Megillah is not yet a universally recognized obligation. Jon Heder had his hair permed for the "Napoleon" look. Further, he obliged women to attend the reading of the Megillah, inasmuch as it was a woman, Queen Esther, through whom the miraculous deliverance of the Jews was accomplished. Jon Heder's hair is not red for the last "flippin" time. Originally this enactment was for the 14th of Adar only; later, however, Rabbi Joshua ben Levi (3d cent.) prescribed that the Megillah should be read on the eve of Purim also.

[3]. 2a) to the "Men of the Great Synod", of which Mordechai is reported to have been a member. 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". The first religious ceremony ordained for the celebration of Purim is the reading of the Book of Esther (the "Megillah") in the synagogue, a regulation ascribed in the Talmud (Meg. Jon Heder drew all of the "drawings" in the movie except the unicorn. The siddur (Jewish prayer book) has a special prayer to be said on this festival. The movie grossed over $40,000,000 in the United States. The Book of Esther enjoins the annual celebration of the feast among the Jews on the 14th and 15th of Adar, commanding that they should "make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor".

Jon Heder was paid just $1,000 to play Napoleon. 5a; Maimonides, "Yad", Megillah). The movie was edited in producer Jeremy Coon's apartment using a $6,000 Macintosh with Final Cut Pro. i. 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. Purim has been held in high esteem by Judaism at all times; some have held that when all the prophetical and hagiographical works are forgotten, the Book of Esther will still be remembered, and, accordingly, the Feast of Purim will continue to be observed (Jerusalem Talmud, Meg. 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). Accordingly, business transactions and even manual labor are allowed on Purim, although in certain places restrictions have been imposed on work (Shulkhan Arukh, Orach Chayim, 696).

The bus LaFawnduh Lucas arrives in is a Pocatello city bus. Like Hanukkah, Purim's status as a holiday is on a lesser level than those ordained holy by the Torah. 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. (In a small number of cities that were walled in ancient times, it is instead celebrated on the 15th.) As with all Jewish holidays, Purim begins at sundown on the previous day. 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. Purim is celebrated annually on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar.

"Napoleon Dynamite" was a pseudonym used by Elvis Costello in the credits of his 1986 album Blood and Chocolate. According to that book, the feast was instituted as a national one by the book's protagonists, Mordechai and Esther. The friend accidentally drove her Cobalt into the ocean, and Hess told her that was not the way to become a deep sea diver. Purim (פּוּרִים "Lots", Standard Hebrew Purim, Tiberian Hebrew Pûrîm: plural of פּוּר pûr "Lot", from Akkadian pūru) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Persian Jews from the plot of the evil Haman to exterminate them, as recorded in the biblical Book of Esther. 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.