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The Ralph Handel Story (2006)
Director: Benny Safdie
Cast: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Peter Rand
Runtime15 min
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Co-directed by Benny and Josh Safdie, this deadpan mock-documentary follows Ralph Handel, a buttoned-down office worker who spends his nights bombing on the open-mic circuit. Staged as cinéma vérité that edges into performance art—Safdie performed the disastrous sets in real clubs—the film channels Andy Kaufman’s anti-comedy and the self-reflexive diary mode of David Holzman’s Diary to sketch a sly portrait of a life quietly coming undone.
Critical Reception & Ratings
The Ralph Handel Story, a 2006 comedy film co-directed by Benny and Josh Safdie, has been praised by critics for its deadpan, mock-documentary style and self-reflexive approach, which channels the anti-comedy of Andy Kaufman. While the film has not received major awards recognition, it has found a cult following among audiences, earning strong ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
Why you might like this:
Fans of deadpan, anti-comedy, and experimental mockumentaries will appreciate the unique, self-reflexive style that directors Benny and Josh Safdie bring to The Ralph Handel Story, their 2006 comedic portrait of a struggling open-mic performer.