Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - 11 questions

Question: Does anybody know what music the Mexicans are playing in their car? I like it.

Answer: It is a cut/mix of "So Ruff, So Tuff" by Roger Troutman (lead singer of Zapp). I think this is a extended mix of it. It contains the beginning of Zapp's biggest hit "More Bounce to the Ounce" which was off their first self-titled album "Zapp" (1980). This has been used and sampled in Hip Hop songs for over 20 years. Roger Troutman put out his first solo album the next year in 1981 (Many Facets of Roger). This contained the single "So Ruff, So Tuff".

Question: I know this film is supposed to be set in 2004-2005, but does anyone know why the clothes and some of the music seems to be quite old (like 20-30 years ago)?

Answer: The reason the styles and such are so out of date is to signify that the town where "Napoleon Dynamite" takes place is a very small town that is out of touch with current fads and trends. The aged styles also serve to create a sense of nostalgia to the majority of the viewing audience.

Question: Why did Trisha's mom force her to go to the dance with Napoleon?

Answer: When Uncle Rico is selling stuff to Tricia's mom, he mentions how Napoleon has had a hard life. (I believe he talks about how Napoleon lost his parents or something to that extent, if I remember correctly.) Tricia's mom feels sorry for Napoleon, and makes Tricia go out with him.

Question: After Napoleon realizes Uncle Rico told Deb about the breast enhancer stuff, what type of fruit does Napoleon throw at Rico's van?

Answer: It's either an orange or a grapefruit.

Question: Why does Napoleon, who appears to be a junior or senior in high school, ride the bus with a bunch of little kids?

Answer: Because it is such a small town that the school system can not afford buses for grade level so they have to share them, plus it has comedic value as well.

Question: Who is the woman on the bike that rides up and meets Uncle Rico toward the end of the movie? Is she Tammy, his previously mentioned girlfriend? If so, what is the significance of this scene and why is this her only part?

Answer: I believe it was his estranged wife coming back to him. The only significance is that 'in the end, everything will be ok.'

Question: In the movie what year is the Napoleon Dynamite taken place?

Answer: This question has been answered and it takes place in the school year of 2004-2005 as it states on Napolean's school ID in the beginning credits.

Question: I've watched this movie several times, and there is no foul language in this film yet the MPAA rated this film PG for language. Why?

Answer: It's rated PG for "parental guidance" suggested due to some themeatic elements.

Question: Why is Deb calling from a payphone in the middle of nowhere?

Answer: She has no cellphone or home phone.

Question: What was Napoleon putting in his mouth in the restroom during the dance? It looks a chewing tobacco pouch that he takes it from, but since he swallows it seconds later, this seems implausible.

Answer: On the DVD commentary, they say it's Big League Chew, that shredded bubble gum that comes in a pouch.

Question: What is the point/moral of this film. To me it was just a random funny movie but I was wondering if there was a point.

Answer: Napoleon Dynamite was actually a series of small short films Jon Heder and his friends did in college. They decided to make a full length movie about someone's life in a rural town of Idaho which is the basis of Napoleon Dynamite.