Mise-en-Scene in Napoleon Dynamite

Mise-en-Scene in Napoleon Dynamite

In Napoleon Dynamite (Jared Hess, 2004), the character known as Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is quite a unique fellow. His quirkiness and eccentricity are what make him as a character; they are the primary traits of his personality. Keep in mind, however, that he is not the only odd character in the film, but he has his own peerless way of defining himself separate from any other character(s). This effect is achieved through certain cinematic techniques that director Jared Hess utilizes in order to bring out Napoleon’s persona in ways other than simply “guessing” who he really is. Rather, these techniques “explicitly imply” certain character traits; they are like clues that allow one to see the character just as the creator intended. Through mise-en-scene, sound, and acting and performance, Napoleon Dynamite emphasizes and comments on the character of Napoleon, defining his physical and social nature.

Part of Napoleon Dynamite’s character is defined through mise-en-scene. His costuming throughout the movie is very indicative of who he is; he is almost always seen wearing out of date clothing, usually from the 80s. He wears very drab colors, except for when his shirt sports a vivid design. His mismatched, corny, and awkward clothing are synonymous with his personality. On the other end of the spectrum, he wears a gauche-colored yet slick-looking suit to the dance. This is fitting due to the fact that he thinks he is suave for having a hot date, yet he is still “gauche” according to his date and the rest of the school.

Another element of mise-en-scene that helps define Napoleon’s personality is his physical setting. The town that he lives in is uneventful, repetitive, and simple, all characteristic of his persona. The high school, his neighborhood, the open fields and pastures; all of them emanate one distinct word that uncannily matches Napoleon’s temperament: boring. This is not to say that he is boring per se; Hess gives him words and actions that call for sidesplitting laughter. His demeanor as a whole, however, is as dull as stone. His not so subtle, lack-luster voice and uninterested facial expression gives an efficient comedic effect, but would be considered dreary and mind-numbing in any real life situation. More on his acting and performance will be discussed later; there are other elements, su...

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...“D-Qwon’s Dance Grooves”, and one cannot help but predict disaster. Near the end of the film, Napoleon shows off his moves in front of the entire student body of Preston High School following Pedro’s presidential speech. Immediately following the routine, the whole audience is dead silent. Then, an unexpected uproar emanates from the crowd, praising Napoleon for the first time in his life. This signals a change in the way that Napoleon Dynamite acts and is looked upon.

In the film Napoleon Dynamite, director Jared Hess uses techniques such as mise-en-scene, sound, and acting and performance to define who the character Napoleon is. This is very effective in that it provides a broad range of ways to get to know the character, rather than only through acting. These techniques aid to emphasize Napoleon’s quirky personality. Napoleon is seen as a dorky, awkward kid in high school, who obviously still has a lot of growing up to do. His pessimism and impatience with life in general are also apparent, especially through his acting and sounds. Napoleon Dynamite is defined in many ways, by his costumes, the cheesy muzak, his “skills”, and even by the ever-frequent motif: “yesssss”.