White Boy Rick
Newcomer Richie Merritt and Matthew McConaughey star in this crime drama based on a true story, helmed by five-time BAFTA-nominated director Yann Demange ('71).
Set in 1980s Detroit at the height of the crack epidemic, White Boy Rick recaps the true-life story of Richard Wershe Jr. who became an undercover informant at the age of 14 before becoming a major dealer until he was arrested at age 17 and sentenced to life in prison.
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressWhat ultimately happened to Wershe was a scandal, though it's hard to get too worked up when the movie itself is such a jumble.
The New York Times
pressMr. Demange can convey mood and feeling with his filmmaking, but he can't turn Rick Jr. into a viable character and neither can the inexpert Mr. Merritt.
The Guardian
pressThe issue is not that the film focuses on a white kid, but that it doesn't seem much interested in the black lives hit disproportionately hard by the war on drugs.
Rolling Stone
pressIt doesn't turn into another Goodfellas story of crime and irony, [but] isn't saying much about the Reagan-era War on Drugs that you haven't heard before.
IndieWire
press"White Boy Rick" attempts to mine drama from circumstances without succeeding at making any of its characters all that sympathetic.
Hollywood Reporter
pressDespite impressive performances by Matthew McConaughey and newcomer Richie Merritt, the film fails to engage or enlighten.
Empire Magazine
pressA patchy follow-up to the searing '71 from director Yann Demange, but one which tells a compelling true story and offers a treat of a supporting turn from Matthew McConaughey.
Variety
pressWhat ultimately happened to Wershe was a scandal, though it's hard to get too worked up when the movie itself is such a jumble.
The New York Times
pressMr. Demange can convey mood and feeling with his filmmaking, but he can't turn Rick Jr. into a viable character and neither can the inexpert Mr. Merritt.
The Guardian
pressThe issue is not that the film focuses on a white kid, but that it doesn't seem much interested in the black lives hit disproportionately hard by the war on drugs.
Rolling Stone
pressIt doesn't turn into another Goodfellas story of crime and irony, [but] isn't saying much about the Reagan-era War on Drugs that you haven't heard before.
IndieWire
press"White Boy Rick" attempts to mine drama from circumstances without succeeding at making any of its characters all that sympathetic.
Hollywood Reporter
pressDespite impressive performances by Matthew McConaughey and newcomer Richie Merritt, the film fails to engage or enlighten.
Empire Magazine
pressA patchy follow-up to the searing '71 from director Yann Demange, but one which tells a compelling true story and offers a treat of a supporting turn from Matthew McConaughey.
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