User reviews

I'm a big IFC Midnight fan- now Shudder I guess, and somehow the algorithm brought me to this title, and as it's totally unknown and random I decided to watch with a bit of an eye roll thinking at the very least I'd be contributing to Indie Film even if I hated it, but man, this is pretty much one of the more enjoyable films I've seen in the past five or so years. It's totally straightforward, told with honesty and quirkiness, and it really left me with a lot to think about. This is a prime example of how Indie can outdo a big studio because in this film it was just a writer telling the story how he wanted to tell it. No executives getting in the way saying it doesn't have enough big timely hot button themes, no special effects, no overly convoluted camera shots.

Just easy smooth filmmaking. I consider myself lucky being led to this film. Hope others find it as well and enjoy it as much as me.

There are multiple ways to enjoy cinema, and one involves the element of surprise combined with the discovery of a genuine indie film, which feels like a rare commodity these days when indies get made with a 15 million budget or even higher. The movie opens in a manner that allows the audience to question and get intrigued by the characters- specially the two who commit the titular act of Handshake. We get mesmerized and intimidated by the landscape that leads to the modern Midwest Americana, the darkness of the path that changes the lives of everyone related to Devin and Bill, and their ominous agreement. The final scene is such a subtle yet painful punch in the guts when we remember where and how the main character entered the story and how his life looks at the end. Great storytelling and execution, and a true joy to watch.

Firstly, I have no connection to this film at all. This is a genuine 10 star review. I was lucky enough to see Handshake at the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival last night. I had heard it was going to be good (and it beat my little film to two awards, so I knew it couldn't be all bad lol), but nothing could prepare me for how much I was going to enjoy this.

I went in expecting a well-acted crime drama as that's what it had been promoted as, but I knew nothing of the plot. And to be honest, I'm not going to spoil it here either, as I think it would lesson your enjoyment. What I will say is that this is a bit like a modern Hitchcock film. That is a description that gets thrown around a lot, and might conjure the wrong idea. What I mean to say is that this is what someone like Hitchcock would be doing if they made films now. Strangers on a Train is the one that comes to mind, but this is really its own beast. It's like Hitchcock without any of the false staginess he could never quite shake. A real-world cool Hitch. It has gripping drama and suspense, an absolutely delicious key hook and so much quick wit and dry humour it kept me grinning throughout. At the same time, it all feels very grounded in reality with genuine emotion and believable characters (and fantastic acting all round, especially the lead - who also wrote and directed this). This blend of crime drama, humour and real-world observations works to impressive effect. It also brought out something in me in one scene that I've never felt before; I was laughing uproariously whilst being simultaneously disgusted. Yes, I loved this film to bits.

I think it's also worth mentioning that this is a low budget film that uses its money exactly as it should. It's not trying to "reach" for Hollywood style effects or "make the most" at any point. It feels like it cost just what it should have to make the exact film it was trying to be. I'll be getting hold of a copy of this as soon as it's commerically available, and I feel fortunate to have been in that autorium and briefly met the genius behind it. More please, Robert.

I found this film while stumbling around Buffalo 8 titles and thought it sounded intriguing. And man, it's such a sharp, funny, off beat, truthful and in the end, profound examination of life. Yeah it's low budget, but it's really really well shot and well edited and the performances are really truthful and grounded. One thing I appreciated about the film is that it goes pretty much exactly where you think it's going to go, but the twists and turns of the story are very nuanced and it's in those twists and turns that the characters grow and evolve. In some ways this film is like a less deranged and more dryly comedic "Edmund", which happens to be one of my favorite films.