Welcome to History Lesson, where we take a closer look at the movies that dare to tackle real-life events with varying levels of accuracy, drama, and WTF casting choices. These films promise to educate and entertain, but more often than not, they rewrite history with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. We’ll be your guide through the land of miscast biopics, dramatic embellishments, and historical “inspired-by” liberties, breaking down whether these flicks are Golden Reel Award-worthy masterpieces or just a big-budget Wikipedia summary. Either way, it’s more fun than your high school history class—and there’s popcorn.
This time around we will take a look at Season 10's fact-based slate....
HISTORY LESSON: HANDS ON A HARD BODY
Richard Linklater brings his signature slice-of-life storytelling to Hands on a Hard Body, transforming a quirky 1997 documentary about a Texas endurance contest into a comedy-drama fueled by sweat, desperation, and just the right amount of existential reflection. Brad Pitt leads a stacked ensemble as Benny, a former champion determined to reclaim his glory by literally keeping his hands on a truck. He’s joined by Brie Larson’s ambitious Kelli, Werner Herzog’s brooding J.D., and Matthew McConaughey’s Dale Hoyt, a dealership owner whose charismatic rule announcements feel more like Sunday sermons. As contestants drop off one by one, the film becomes a touching, hilariously weird meditation on resilience, small-town dreams, and the fine line between grit and madness.
Of course, Hands on a Hard Body plays fast and loose with reality, much like its contestants' grip on sanity. Sure, the real contest was a grueling endurance event, but did it include heartfelt monologues, spontaneous singalongs, or Werner Herzog philosophizing about the human condition while refusing to eat or drink? Probably not. And while the documentary never revealed the exact personal stakes of each participant, Linklater leans hard into the drama, crafting backstories that would feel at home in a Tennessee Williams play. Whether it’s a faithful adaptation of the real-life contest or not, the film captures the spirit of the competition: a mix of determination, absurdity, and the indomitable Texan love for a good ol’ pickup truck.
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