Written by: Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com

Lucha libre is freestyle wrestling, a popular spectacle in Latin America, although its mecca is in Mexico. Borrowing from the theatrical tradition of circus-like ‘carpa' performers, Mexican ‘luchadores' sometimes create their own signature moves, wear colorful outfits and often don exotic masks that keep their true identities unknown - like American superheroes - but historically linked with ceremonies in pre-Columbian Indian cultures. Even Zorro wore a mask.

So in "Nacho Libre," Ignacio a.k.a. ‘Nacho' (Jack Black) is a half-Mexican, half-Scandanavian priest-in-training who works as a cook in the Oaxaca orphanage where he grew up. When he discovers that the monastery is in dire need of funds, he decides to become a ‘luchador' with the help of his partner Esqueleto (Hector Jimenez). Clad in blue tights, red boots and matching cape with a mask hiding his face, chubby Nacho struts and preens, dazzled by a beautiful new nun, Sister Encarnacion (Mexican soap-opera star Ana de la Reguera). No matter that they're the worst tag-team around, Nacho and Esqueleto snag a big-money match with mighty Ramses (real-life ‘luchador' Cesar Gonzales).

Screenwriters Mike White, Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess ("Napoleon Dynamite"), who also directs, have adapted a 1963 Mexican movie, "El Senor Tormenta," about a priest who becomes a ‘luchador' in order to save his orphanage. This film actually inspired a real priest, the Rev. Sergio Gutierrez Benitez, to wrestle as Fray Tormenta (Brother Storm) to save a shelter for homeless children in the port city of Veracruz. Then Jean Reno starred in "The Man in the Golden Mask" (1990) with a similar story.

Bearing a curious resemblance to the late John Belushi, Jack Black is endearingly delightful as he flaunts his flab, particularly when contrasted with skinny Hector Jiminez.

On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "Nacho Libre" is a sweetly absurd 5. It's silly slapstick fun.