Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsDecent but it's no Napoleon Dynamite
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2016
3.5 Stars. Jared Hess’s little known third feature, after Napoleon Dynamite (2004) and Nacho Libre (2006), once again centers around some really quirky characters in small town America, which is the formula that made Napoleon Dynamite a hit. Tennager Benjamin (Michael Angarano) is home-schooled by his eccentric mother, Judith [Jennifer Coolidge; American Pie series, Best of Show (2000), Legally Blonde (2001), 2 Broke Girls (2012 – Present)]. Barely scraping by, she owns a women’s nightgown store in the mall and makes popcorn balls. Benjamin loves to write sci-fiction and ends up attending a fantasy writers’ convention with some other homeschoolers. There he befriends Tabatha and Lonnie and meets his favorite fantasy writer, Chevalier [Jemaine Clement; Flight of the Conchords (2007-2009), Dinner for Schmucks (2010), Men in Black 3 (2012)]. Chevalier, who is looking for a new book, rips off the story Benjamin submits at the end of the conference. Tabatha and Lonnie, the town’s most prolific filmmaker in town, also buy the rights to the book with a post-dated check. The cream of the crop is the story in question is told in a linear fashion throughout the with Sam Rockwell [Charlie’s Angels (2000), Matchstick Men (2003), Iron Man 2 (2010), The Way Way Back (2013)] as the lead. A different style is used depending on if it’s Benjamin’s, Chevalier’s, or the movie version. Gentlemen Broncos doesn’t have the desperate, down and out flair of Napoleon Dynamite but definitely has the quirkiness and some hilarious moments that make it worth watching. The parts with Sam Rockwell are definitely the spot on cheese they are suppose to be. If you’re a fan of Napoleon Dynamite or that style of comedy, it’s worth seeking this movie out.