Bronco Jemaine's a write good laugh

Jemaine Clement has ditched the specs for his role as Dr Ronald Chevalier.

Relevant offers

Film

DVD Review: Johnny English Reborn Lawrence is 'super talented actress' The Artist triumphs at Baftas Plug pulled on Paradise Lost Uggie takes top honour Bret McKenzie in Oscar buzz Naomi Watts to play Princess Diana Entertainment Quiz 10/2 Arnie teams up with Sly for movie Connolly to play Hobbit great dwarf

Jemaine Clement has ditched the specs and swapped the Kiwi voice for an English accent in his latest movie tipped to be a box office hit.

Clement, who also has a tightly clipped beard, plays weird fantasy writer Dr Ronald Chevalier in Gentlemen Broncos alongside Jennifer Coolidge, who starred as Stifler's mom in the American Pie movies.

Director Jared Hess was so impressed with the Flight of the Conchords star's performance that he gave him extra scenes originally intended for other actors.

He believes that 35-year-old Clement's role will be the making of the film. "It's pretty bonkers," Hess said of reaction so far. "Jemaine kind of nails it in the film."

The production, set for an October 30 release in the US, tells the story of loner Benjamin (Michael Angarano), home schooled by his eccentric mother (Coolidge), who goes to a sci-fi convention and has his novel stolen by Chevalier. It is then made into a homespun movie by his home town's own film-maker.

The movie by Hess, who directed Nacho Libre and Napoleon Dynamite, has been massively hyped on the internet. Chevalier has his own Facebook site and YouTube videos.

Clement is currently in New Plymouth with music legend Tim Finn filming Predicament, based on Ronald Hugh Morrieson's novel.

Clement has also lent his voice to a cartoon character in big-budget animated film Despicable Me alongside US comedy king Steve Carell, due for release soon.

And critics, who have seen taster internet previews, love his latest offering. Empire magazine online posted: "It all looks like a hoot, with echoes not only of Napoleon Dynamite, but also of Clement's previous big screen outing Eagle Vs Shark. This can only mean good things."

CanMag said: "My only hope for Gentlemen Broncos has come true. While the viral videos for the film suggested that Jemaine Clement would have a significant role in the film, I didn't want to get my hopes up. But, as proven by the film's trailer, Jemaine plays a central character. Hilarity ensues."

Firstshowing.net said: "I guarantee if you loved Napoleon Dynamite, you'll love this as well. It looks hilarious and completely original thanks to the crazy, brilliant mind of Jared Hess."

Organisers of the Fantastic Fest 2009, America's largest genre film festival, have picked Gentlemen Broncos to kick off this year's event.

Hess and Clement will both be there, with Fantastic Fest organisers revealing: "The Fantastic Fest programming team had the pleasure of viewing an early cut of Gentlemen Broncos and absolutely loved it.

"In his third film, Hess continues to craft his very rich alternate-reality universe dominated by awkward but lovable losers, inappropriate fabric pairings and charmingly homespun handicrafts."

- © Fairfax NZ News