In a film era where explosions, special effects, and explicit language are a norm for movies, comes a low budget masterpiece that leaves us with a smile on our face and peace in our hearts. And I feel that is the director’s aim (pg. 405) in this movie, to give a simple look at life with very odd but believable characters. We can even learn some important life lessons form these characters as well, life lessons that are simple but sometimes ones that we never even apply to our own lives.
The first lesson I want to look at is not living in the past. We can learn this from the character Uncle Rico. During the movie all he ever talks about it going back to his high school days and playing quarterback. He is probably around 30 years old or more in this film but I can’t be sure because it is never stated in the film. The life he leads now only emphasizes why no one should ever live in the past. He lives on a random field in his van/motor home, video taping himself throwing footballs all the time, and falling prey to any type of quick money making scheme that comes his way. In order to develop as a person in this world you must always move on to the next phase of life, not looking back and wishing you could change it. The past is over, we can learn from it but should never let our lives be consumed with regret and thinking, “What could have happened if,” types of thoughts on a regular basis. There is more to life than having a high school state champion trophy. If that’s the world to you then I feel sorry for you. Having a state champ trophy is awesome don’t get me wrong, but that should be what defines you for the next twenty plus years.
Second lesson is defining who you are, not letting other people do that for you. Kip is easily swayed by Uncle Rico’s money making schemes because he doesn’t have to self confidence to say no to Rico’s bad ideas. The main thing we see, why Kip lets other define him, is when his girlfriend changes him into someone she wants him to be. Even though this is never portrayed in a negative sense, it’s still something we all could say it not right. He goes from being a nerd of sorts to looking and talking like a stereotypical “gangster.” I realize this element may have been added to give more humor to the film, but you should always be who you are; and people should accept you who you are, not expecting you to change drastically to fit who they want you to be.
Finally, lesson number three, is take a risk. Napoleon is having trouble with his soon to be girlfriend, no thanks to Uncle Rico, and instead of wallowing in self pity he takes a risk. He didn’t intend on doing it to win Deb back but did get her back because of it. Napoleon actually took the risk for his friend Pedro, which shows that he is a true friend by the way. Pedro didn’t even ask him to take the risk, Napoleon did it because he knew it had to be done. If you’ve see the movie you know what I am talking about. It’s a very comical scene of him dancing in front of the entire student body, but he risked great embarrassment so that his friend might win the school election. And it paid of for him in the end. He did win Deb back and Pedro did become student body president. Did the reward out way the cost? I think so. Now not every time we take a risk will everything work out, but it’s worth it. Step outside you comfort zone and help someone, don’t live in the past wishing what could have been.
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