Gentlemen Broncos

An Instant Classic. ..

The latest quirky opus to come from the mind of Napoleon Dynamite creator Jared Hess, Gentlemen Broncos proves – if nothing else – has very similar reading habits in our youth, a shared love for pulpy and poorly written science fiction. Like all of his films, Gentlemen Broncos is a loving ode to eccentricity, a richly detailed nostalgia trip through a collection of beloved items and tropes from Hess’ formative years.

Gentlemen Broncos is just like it's name- a sophisticated, well-dressed animal that kicks naysayers repeatedly in several places. I wish I had the connections to be able to see it again right now. Thank you comedy Gods, for giving us Jared Hess.

A very specific film based entirely in a particular subculture of a particular era, Gentlemen Broncos will almost certainly present a radically different experience for those who themselves grew up within that subculture – as I did – and those who did not. Some may find it a little slow, a little flat, but for those of us who essentially were Benjamin at one point, it’s a loving flash back to the past.

Gentlemen Broncos was full of laugh-out-loud scenes, with comedy on every level, excellent performances, and a sneaky plot that Scorsese would have been proud of. Everyone in the audience seemed to love it, lingering to cite scenes to each other long after the film was over.

It's not just the chuckle-free writing or leaden pacing. Hess sprinkles a few real actors into a cast full of non-actors who recite lines rather than giving performances. He also makes sure that every last extra is homely or funny-looking, to the point of being misshapen. His is a world of freaks, who exist to be laughed at -- except there's nothing funny about them but their looks.

Hess has always had a particular genius for casting, a gift in full effect here, the film populated from top to bottom by players who capture his supremely odd aesthetic easily and naturally. Rockwell as Bronco / Brutus and Jemaine Clement (The Flight of the Conchords) get the big, flashy parts – and deliver big in them – but the rest of the cast is just as strong. And Hess also retains his love for small details and hand made effects that make the film a true joy to discover.

Gentlemen Broncos will appeal to those who thought "Napoleon Dynamite" was too conventional.