The Guatemalan Handshake

The Guatemalan Handshake (2005)

  • 71% of critics liked it
    (7 reviews)

  • 51% of users liked it
    (439 ratings)

A demolition derby driver (Will Oldham) has vanished into the darkness following a massive power outage, setting into motion a bizarre series of events that will profoundly effect everyone from his pregnant girlfriend to a troupe of roving boy scouts and a ten year old girl named Turkeylegs. Later,… More

Unrated,
Directed By
Genres
Drama, Art House & International, Comedy
In Theaters
Apr 22, 2006 Wide

Critic Reviews

  • Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times

    On the index of quirk, this winsome indie scores quite high.

  • John Hartl, Seattle Times

    Although Rohal's goal seems to be a rich character study, the movie works best as a celebration of small-town Americana that persists well into the 21st century.

  • Robert Koehler, Variety

    A frustrating example of convention-defying filmmaking that tries too hard to be different.

  • Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

    This sweet nothing has invention and personality to spare, not to mention marvelous mysteries, quirky connections and cockeyed running gags.

  • Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

    Deliberately quirky almost to the point of distraction, this offbeat comedy is an enjoyably puzzling film.

Read all 7 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Greg S


    After her boyfriend goes missing a pregnant woman with dozens of sisters all from different mothers enters a demolition derby against her Guatemalan father... and that's just one of many plotlines running concurrently in this bizarre rural community. How to describe this unique… More

  • Curtis L


    Although it tries hard to be strange, it certainly is. Reminded me of Gummo, but slightly less white trash, and the with the cast of Vernon, Florida. Fun characters and pace.

  • Walter M


    In "The Guatemalan Handshake," Donald(Will Oldham) disappears during a power outage. Two weeks later, his girlfriend Sadie(Sheila Scullin) asks to stay with his father(Ken Byrnes) when she shows up with a broken arm and pregnant after her father(Ivan Dimitrov) kicks her out… More

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Cast

See more (7)