From the team that brought us Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre comes Gentlemen Broncos, another highly kitschy gonzo comedy set in the Mountain West. This time, Benjamin, a talented home-schooler who loves low-level Science Fiction attends a weekend program for young writers. There he meets his idol, Ronald Chevalier, played brilliantly by Jemaine Clement, and gives him a draft of his manuscript, Yeast Wars. Chevalier steals the story, changes a few names and publishes it as his latest hit novel. Meanwhile, Benjamin gets involved with a local video filmmaker who tries to produce his book into an indie film, despite many creative reservations.
The first act of this movie is truly hilarious - probably better than anything in Napoleon Dynamite (which has grown on me) or Nacho Libre (which was and has remained pretty stillborn). Sadly, after this strong part, the wheels come off the wagon and the remaining two acts are pretty bad.
As with his other films, director Jared Hess' biggest strength is the kitschy, early 1990s look of the picture. We want to avert our eyes because the fashions and hair and makeup is so terrible - but of course we all remember when everything looked this way. I happen to think this look is funny and impressive, but it is getting a bit tired. I think it's a crutch that takes the place of plot development and scripted comedy.
The acting is actually really solid throughout the film. Michael Angarano, as Benjamin, is very good and both proud and dorky (he was also very good in David Gordon Green's under-seen movie Snow Angels from last year). The center of the film is Clement as Chevalier. I am very impressed that he has been able to create two hilarious and different characters in such a short time. I guess I would normally expect Clement to base Chevalier on elements from his character on Flight of the Conchords - but this is entirely fresh and new. Some of the small parts are also wonderful - like Mike White as a slow, red-necked beau to Benjamin's mother and Sam Rockwell as Bronco, Benjamin's fantasy of a masculine sci-fi superhero. (The Bronco sequences are all very funny and have a wonderful 1970s made-for-tv sci-fi look.)
Again, though, the film dies after the first 25 minutes. The script is not funny or original after this point, relying on seemingly recycled material from Dynamite or other hackneyed comedies. I wish I could like the movie more - it looks great and I laughed a lot in the first few minutes - but it is very difficult to get through. Overall, the first act is well worth watching - but turn it off or leave after that point.
Stars: 1.5 of 4
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