The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez

The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez is a dramatic comedy, released in 2012. The movie serves as a swan song for Ernest Borgnine, an iconic Lincoln-Mercury pitchman and Oscar-winning actor.

The film's leading man, Borgnine, plays Rex Page, an elderly man who has always dreamt of becoming a Hollywood western film star. However, these dreams have gone unfulfilled, and he is now retired and leading a relatively uneventful life. The opening of the movie sees Rex's life take a turn when an unexpected injury lands him in a convalescent home, among a community of Hispanic workers.

Barry Corbin, best known for his role in the television show Northern Exposure, plays Howard, Rex Page's son-in-law. His character, although not the focal point of the entire story, serves a significant purpose as he helps Rex navigate through his changed circumstances in the backdrop of his unfulfilled dreams.

Carla Ortiz, a Bolivian actress, plays Solena, a sympathetic nurse in the convalescent home. She becomes a confidant and friend to Rex, emerging as the heart of the Hispanic community that Rex finds himself entwined with. Her role brings warmth, emotion, and an element of intrigue to the plot.

This offbeat comedy-drama is a portrayal of cultures clashing and melding together, intertwined with hues of dreamy western nostalgia. Despite his initially grumpy demeanor, Rex becomes a beacon of hope for the workers as he stands up against the harsh treatment meted out by the home's management. His new status finds its grounding in his claim to fame - that he once shook hands with the legendary Latin music icon, Vicente Fernandez. This somewhat comical but significant event earns Rex the respect and admiring friendship of his fellow residents.

The title of the film itself encapsulates the nuanced celebration of fame, the game of chance, the impact of an idol on common people, and how a tiny connection with a celebrity can affect lives. The interplay of race, language, and culture - juxtaposing the old white man and his sudden immersion in a Latin community - provides a subtle yet deep commentary on social relations. The film also contemplates life's disappointments, the human longing for significance, and the unexpected corridors where recognition might finally be found.

The visual narrative through the movie is a cutting-edge amalgamation of colorful scenes with contrasting realities of Rex's unglamorous day-to-day life against his dreamy sequences, narrating his fantasies of being a cowboy western star. This visualization underlines the constant struggle between reality and fantasy in Rex's mind while also sparking a visually engaging conversation for the audience.

The film is directed by Elia Petridis, whose storytelling prowess skillfully blends melancholy and humor, delivering a story that is heartfelt, enthralling, and thought-provoking, with timely sprinkles of laughter. The film, although a comedy in genre, never shies away from showing the pathetic conditions of a festering healthcare system and prejudices against non-English speakers.

In The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez, Borgnine delivers a masterful performance, expertly personifying a retired, grumpy old man whose dreams of a great life in the limelight have been reduced to minor nursing home victories. His character is both strong-willed and endearing, offering a true-to-life portrayal that resonates long after the credits roll.

In final analysis, The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez shines not just as a captivating movie, but also as a tribute to a legendary actor's final bow. It touches upon relatable life-frustrations while humorously portraying unexpected fame in later life. This heartening film is a testament to the enduring nature of the human spirit, riding on the stellar performances from a talented cast, and a subtle, poignant script.