The Ralph Handel Story (2006)

Overview

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.

Benny Safdie, Josh SafdieDirector