Jon Heder played Napoleon Dynamite, a now cult movie about oddball outsiders filmed over two decades ago.

Every time I saw a list of notable people born in Fort Collins, Heder was on it.

So last night, after a showing of the film which is every bit as charming today, Heder explained.

He was born in Fort Collins. He left at two. He had never ever come back in all these years. (that strikes me as a little strange for a guy who criss crosses the country with two other cast members hosting a q and a session after the film)

Anyway, Heder was lively and charming in the post movie q and a filled with humor. The actor who played Pedro seemed every bit as sweet as the character he played, and they offered a lot of insights into how the movie was made and behind the scenes dish that was big fun.

To me, which was left unsaid last night, is what matters the most.

This movie about young people not among the “in crowd” connects with everyone who has felt like an outsider. It was sort of a beacon saying “you are not alone and it is ok to be you”.

And as I think about it, the very fact that a packed theater so long after the movie came out to see it again, and hear from the stars, tells you the message has been received loud and clear.