"Napoleon Dynamite" is one of the few screenings I have entered with no expectations. I recognized no one listed on the poster, I heard nothing about the film, and I saw no previews of it. I was pleasantly surprised.

A whimsical and charming comedy, "Napoleon Dynamite" is about the adventures of a nerdy, teen misfit. The misfit was named after a pseudonym that was once used by the nerdy looking, adult new wave singer, Elvis Costello.

The film is not highly derivative, but it is slightly reminiscent of some of John Hughes’s better comedies as well as "Revenge of the Nerds." Like those films, it makes viewers empathize with the plight of socially ostracized and marginalized youngsters.

The feature directing and writing debut of Jared Hess, his wife, Jerusha Hess, collaborated with him on the script. Jared and Jerusha demonstrate they have a knack for capturing the speech patterns of young people, and wringing out a maximum amount of laughs from banal, everyday situations.

Jon Heder stars as the lead character who dubs himself "Napoleon Dynamite." He may have picked the bold, aggressive sounding nickname to make up for his insecurity and shyness. Napoleon is an eccentric and awkward boy with out of fashion clothing. He is only passionate about dancing, martial arts, and drawing animals. His life is complicated when he is put in the care of Rico, his tactless and vulgar huckster uncle.

Uncle Rico is a gruff door to door salesman that makes women feel physically inadequate so he can peddle an herbal breast enhancement. Rico constantly embarrasses Napoleon, and the boy retaliates by throwing things at Rico’s car every time it drives by.

The principal asks Napoleon to show Pedro, a new Mexican student, around the school. The two characters quickly become best friends.

Pedro ends up running for president of the student council against a popular but vapid airhead, Summer Wheatley (well played by Hillary Duff’s younger sister, Haylie). She is so shallow and self centered that she makes Paris Hilton look like Germain Greer.

The development of Pedro’s character in the face of adversity is delightful, and Pedro is one of the few strong, non-stereotypical Latino characters in recent American film.

Heder previously played the role in "Peluca," a 9-minute film directed by Jared Hess that screened at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City in January 2003. Both "Peluca" and "Napoleon Dynamite" were shot in Preston, Idaho, using mostly inexperienced and unknown young actors. One of the only recognizable faces is Tina Majorino (of "Corina Corina"), who plays a delightfully odd potential love interest for Napoleon.

Later on, romantic hijinks ensue when both boys try to find dates for a dance. The film's plot progresses in a fairly linear and predictable way but there are more than a few odd surprises and curves along the way.

"Napoleon Dynamite" is an almost completely satisfying portrayal of triumph over teen angst and alienation. It’s the sharpest school film in ages, and it’s highly recommended to teens and adults alike.