.com How far would you go for a brand-new, fully loaded pickup truck? Would you go as far as the 23 contestants in Hands on a Hard Body, who entered a contest in which the last one standing with his or her hand on the car drove off with it? S.R. Bindler documents the contest that takes place each year at a Nissan dealership in Longview, Texas. And what a contest it is. Twenty-three names are drawn at random and these lucky folks get the opportunity to participate. The rules are simple: one hand must remain on the truck at all times; no leaning or squatting allowed; if the hand is raised even momentarily, the contestant is out. One 5-minute break is permitted every hour, and one 15-minute break every 6 hours. The last three survivors--excuse us, contestants--must be tested for drugs. The results are hilarious. The gloves irritate hands (sweat could ruin the truck's finish), legs go numb, people get on each other's nerves. Strategy is involved, cheaters are accused, competition is fierce. "It's a contest, they say, of stamina, but it's who can maintain their sanity the longest," we're told by 1992 winner Benny Perkins, who competes once again. This offbeat film shows the quirkier side of human nature while providing a thoroughly entertaining watch. Each contestant represents something, but which will win out: desperation (a woman tired of riding her bike everywhere but who can't afford car payments), determination (a toothless woman who "tr[ies] to finish everything I start"), God (a woman's church holds a prayer chain for her as she communes with Jesus by the truck), endurance (a former Marine who once stayed awake for five days), or experience (Perkins is sure he knows all the tricks)? Who finally makes it through the 78-hour ordeal? You'll have to watch this comical film to find out. --Jenny Brown
S**H
CULT CLASSIC.
Best documentary of all time!! Cult classic. At the time only VHS was available, but I would have paid the $90 that I had scene previously listed on Amazon from 3rd parties.(Side note, I ordered this several years ago- still during a time where I had only had a DVD player & bought an old VHS to watch this. It’s now on sale digitally on iTunes for $9.99. Just saying. But I’d pay anything for these belly laughs!!
S**G
IT'S A HUMAN DRAMA SORT OF THING
Well, "it's a human drama sort of thing" there are so many genuine real-life characters in this documentary. This may be the beginning of the oh-so-popular reality tv shows that have many people following.
L**N
i'm so sorry
it really embarrasses me to be from longview texas with all this crap on video. longview is an odd place to live, it's pretty miserable it's not really a small town feel or that of a city really. it's somewhere in between. any how all this car crazyness attracts attention to a place that really sucks basically. one of my friends fathers is featured on the video, that's pretty wierd honesty. longview is no spectacular place, i wouldn't even reccommend going there.
S**S
Infinitely better than reality TV!
Okay, I admit...I'm a sucker for documentaries. Give me a documentary anyday over what passes for 'reality' on television. I love the raw quality of docs and the emotion of the people in them. "Hands on a Hard Body" is a little gem of a movie. Sure it was cheaply made and many of the camera shots are rough, but the people in this little film are amazing! And hilarious. I certainly don't mean to poke fun at them because I think their honest-to-goodness need and desire to win a truck is so real and touching. I love how some of them trained for the contest (by eating "energy" food like oranges and 'snickie' bars) and the side stories that transpire throughout the film. It's funny, it's touching, it's a little bit sad, but I loved it. "Hands on a Hard Body" is reality! Check it out at your local video store. I think you'll be glad you did.
M**O
The Pride of Texas
Wow, at first you think you're going to laugh at these small town folks but that is not what happens. You will laugh as you find yourself emotionally invested in the real people whose stories quickly unfold. You will wonder if you could make it to the end. The editing is great. The movie is compelling throughout and very funny.
S**R
You must see this if from Texas or are visiting.
I lived in rural E. Texas for some twenty years and in a town not too far away. If you want to see what rural living is all about then you MUST see this movie. I'm from Texas and this still tickles me, and I knew so many colorful characters not far different from those shown in this documentary. I just wish this VHS was easier to find in my local rental store.
C**E
A Human Drama Thing....
Although I can quote the entire documentary, words to describe this intense, comical, touching -- and most importantly real piece of cinematography escape me. Each time I watch Hands on a Hardbody, I come away with a better understanding of two classic struggles in nature - man versus man and man versus himself. Hands on a Hardbody is a journey that explores complex human relations through humbleness - the humbleness of the participants and of their desire to win a Nissan Hardbody Pickup.Hands on a Hardbody uses the ruse of comedy to display what one participant and past winner adeptly describes as "A human drama thing".I strongly recommend this documentary.
S**Y
"It's a human drama."
I love my people. This film is a pure slice of Texas at our best (some may say our worst). Round up a bunch of East Texans and put the hope of a free truck in their hearts -- then just sit back and watch. Hysterical. Truly hysterical. And I am pretty sure that even those not blessed to be from Texas will appreciate the humor. If not, at least you will enjoy sitting back and laughing at this great cast of real-life characters. Now, I sure could use an orange or a Snickers . . .
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