***Complimentary product received in exchange for an honest review***
Retired radio DJ, Rex Page (Ernest Borgnine), always dreamed of being a Western movie cowboy - After suffering a back injury, Rex finds himself recovering at Rancho Park nursing home, a facility held in the villainous grip of local businessman Mr. Walker (Barry Corbin) and his evil henchman, Dr. Dominguez (Tony Plana). At first, Rex is helpless in this lawless world, but when the Latino staff realizes that Rex once met their icon, Vicente Fernandez, Rex becomes a local celebrity. And like the cowboys from his dreams, Rex discovers the love and respect of his family and the staff when he faces down the tyrannical owners of Rancho Park this homage to the Spaghetti Westerns of yore. Starring Academy Award Winner Ernest Borgnine in a magical and sadly, final performance.
Where to Buy
Get your copy of the Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez on Amazon on DVD or Blu-ray.
My Thoughts
Rex is s a retired DJ who feels like he's a failure because he never fulfilled his dream of getting the lead role in a Western. After a back injury lands him in a nursing home, his obsession with all things cowboy seems to come to life. There's a villainous doctor trying to take advantage of a pretty nurse and an old bully whose son owns the place who calls all the shots. Corners are cut, employees are taken advantage of, and both the residents and the staff are praying for a hero. They find it an unlikely and sometimes grumpy old man. Its takes a while for Rex and the staff to warm to each other, but once they learn he met and shook the hand of a local celebrity back in his radio days, he becomes a living legend and he stands up to doctors and old bullies alike.
I liked this movie more than I expected to. I thought it was cute the way they tied life in the nursing home into Rex's cowboy obsession. Mr. Walker and his henchmen ride around on their scooters instead of horses. The quickest draw is a card game instead of a shoot out. Standing up to the villains in a big part of the film, but Rex also has to realize that even though he never landed the lead role in a film, he's still a star in the eyes of his family. Ernest Borgnine gave a stunning and realistic performance in his film, which was a wonderful finale to a lifetime of great accomplishments. 4 Stars
***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***
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