The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez

A gentle, bittersweet character piece that finds quiet dignity and late-life warmth in an unlikely friendship.

Directed by

Elia Petridis

Genres

Western, Comedy, Drama

Starring

Ernest Borgnine, Barry Corbin, Carla Ortiz

Overview

Rex is an old man who is bitter about never becoming famous and having lived a life without any meaning. After suffering a stroke, he ends up in a nursing home staffed by Latin American immigrants. Put off by the situation, he focuses his energy on getting out, which places him at odds with the Latino workers. However, their relationship takes on new meaning when it is discovered that he once shook hands with Vicente Fernandez, a Mexican singer, producer and actor idolized throughout Latin culture. The employees soon begin to treat Rex like the celebrity he's always dreamed of being.

How it feels

Melancholic, warm, earnest and satirical. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Aging, identity, redemption, friendship

Content

Mild violence, sexual content and language. No gore.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)