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ACTOR
Katy HaywoodKen ByrnesWill OldhamSheila Scullin
DIRECTOR
Todd Rohal
SYNOPSICS
The Guatemalan Handshake (2006) is a English movie. Todd Rohal has directed this movie. Katy Haywood,Ken Byrnes,Will Oldham,Sheila Scullin are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2006. The Guatemalan Handshake (2006) is considered one of the best Comedy,Drama movie in India and around the world.
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The Guatemalan Handshake (2006) Trailers
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The Guatemalan Handshake (2006) Reviews
A hodge-podge of vignettes from rural backwoods PA
Rohal's first full length movie won awards at various film festivals. That being said, it does not make it enjoyable. The movie strings together stories from a small, obviously poor, rural town somewhere in the east coast (it was shot in Pennsylvania). The movie has been compared to Napoleon Dynamite, which I could see, if Napoleon Dynamite was really, really depressing. The main subject of the movie, Donald, disappears amid strange happenings at the town's power plant. He is never found (which isn't surprising, since no one is really looking for him), but his actions affect everyone. Except they don't, really. His girlfriend kills his pet turtle by throwing it off a cliff (so they can get a dog, because the turtle's shell is acidic and a dog would lick it and get sick) with no remorse. So Donald goes out to catch a dog for his pregnant girlfriend (who we are to assume is his, although it's never specifically mentioned). While he is tracking an old woman's lost dog, the dog whizzes on a power transformer and gets electrocuted. Donald takes the dog, parks his car in a field, and thus is gone from the movie. Some kids find his car and joy-ride it, selling it to a dealership, where the car is traded around town to the various characters. At the end of the movie, the car drives itself backwards to a park where an unsuccessful suicide victim drives it away. Through the middle of the movie, there is much overacting and unexplained occurrences (such as the woman who attends her own funeral, then later on is re-united with her dead dog -- which I would chalk up to her being dead the whole movie, except she interacts with a living character by giving him food), all overlaid by a decent soundtrack that overuses the sound of a didgeridoo. I love indie films, but this was poorly executed. There may be a vein of people who love this movie, but for the average viewer, it's a waste of time. Rent it before you buy it.
A Cinematic Gem From A Rising New Star
My favorite musical group is the incomparable Feo Y Loco -- "The World's Most Politically Incorrect Band." Among their many salaciously satirical songs is "Why Do I Need You When I've Got My Hand?" In a similar fashion one can say to Hollywood's myopic moguls "Why Do I Need You When I've Got My HANDSHAKE?" For fans of independent cinema everywhere, THE GUATEMALAN HANDSHAKE is exactly what movies should be and all too often are not. I've long been a huge fan of Todd Rohal (you can call me Vornado if you want). His short films comprise an eclectic body of work that has been honored at film festivals from coast to coast. In this, his brilliant feature film directorial debut, Rohal once again creates a maddening milieu for a host of Felliniesque characters to inhabit. Shot in Pennsylvania, HANDSHAKE is populated with some of the most quirky, heartwarming, poignant characters this side of the Susquehanna. I call this Pocono Pathos for lack of a better description. It is, yet again, a visionary viewpoint unique to this rising star -- a Rohalian world of folksy fun and fastidious fantasy where the Tilt-O-Wheel is probably the only thing seen on the level. In the tradition of his short films, Rohal continues to push more envelopes than the U. S. Postal Service in incorporating almost every cinematic trick imaginable to further his vision. This is risky business, indeed, but in the hands of a consummate filmmaker like Rohal the gimmicks work and the end result is more surprises than even March Madness can generate. Whatever you do, do not blink or you will surely miss something. HANDSHAKE requires Visine viewing -- one screening is definitely not enough to catch everything being thrown you way. Even the closing credits are fun: "When in Pennsylvania, please take the time to visit Three Mile Island." You gotta love the sentiment. The production design by Jim McNamee and Sage Rockermann is noteworthy for not only the overall cheery look of the film, but for the many fun little extras they have meticulously embedded in scene after scene. Cinematographer Richie Sherman crisply lenses the whole thing. In fact, all facets of this production deserve kudos given the extremely low budget. Producers Marissa Ronca, Jason Orfanon and Nicholas Panagopulos have clearly put every penny on the screen. As you must surely have gathered by now, THE GUATEMALAN HANDSHAKE is a must-see for anyone who enjoys cinematic creativity and sagacious story telling. If you are tired of the boring, banal "blockbuster" fare fostered on the local Bijou, do yourself a favor and seek out this little gem. Compared to GUAT, the studios don't know squat... Robert A. Nowotny needtovent.com
A new vision not to be missed
I originally saw this film at Slamdance, and it left me wanting more. While it's visually arresting, the ideas all seem brilliant but incoherent. I struggled with the puzzle for a year. It took me that long to come around to the conclusion that it didn't all have to add up. That unlike most cinema, where there's the thematic wrap-up at the conclusion... this film doesn't leave you with that same sense of Hollywood satisfaction. It jumps through characters each struggling with their place in the world; each slamming and being slammed in an unpredictable fashion. And this is what I was left with. Not a neatly wrapped present but an open box that's had its guts dumped all over the ground. This is a film that I imagine will get better each time you watch it. Familiarity with the huge cast of characters, and their relationships to each other will only assist with interpretation. But brain-candy aside, the moments in the film are enough to keep you smiling. 8/10
i will shake hands with this film
You found the IMDb page because some piece of media out there made you more curious about this film. What everyone has told you is correct. This film is an absurdist masterpiece. Rather than referencing pop culture, Mr. Rohal and his creative compadres have created pop culture. It's so interesting and bizarre the film seriously could have been 6 hours long, and I would have been just as involved. Many films of this sort are lulled by either gaps in narrative or clever winks. There's none of that in this film. It's a vision so complete and detailed and so funny and truthful. Everything about this film is far better than it should be; whether it's the gorgeous cinematography, the beautiful music, the spot on performances. Even if the scene just follows a little girl wandering in her neighborhood-- it evokes that sense of an adolescent leisurely rural summer. Even though you can tell they didn't have a huge budget-- it was made completely without compromise. I cannot wait to see his next film. Do yourself a favor and don't rent, but BUY this DVD. You'll be lending it to all of your friends anyways.
What a completely awful movie!!!!
Watching this movie was so tedious and laborious that I think I would have enjoyed a punch in the stomach far more. Now this is an indie movie that you've probably never heard of, and for good reason too, but pray that you stay lucky and never accidentally see it. Who knows, someone may break into your home, tie you and your family up, and force you to sit through it. Once is torture, more could be lethal. This is like an un-funny version of Napoleon Dynamite... Except Napoleon Dynamite wasn't funny. Do yourself a favor and avoid this movie. You'll thank me. And yourself. And which ever God you believe in.