White Boy Rick (2018)

The story of teenager Richard Wershe Jr., who became an undercover informant for the FBI during the 1980s and was ultimately arrested for drug-trafficking and sentenced to life in prison.

Director:

Yann Demange

Writers:

Andy Weiss, Logan Miller

Stars:

Matthew McConaughey, Richie Merritt, Bel Powley

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew McConaughey	...	Richard Wershe Sr.
Richie Merritt	...	Rick Wershe Jr.
Bel Powley	...	Dawn Wershe
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	FBI Agent Snyder
Brian Tyree Henry	...	Detective Jackson
Rory Cochrane	...	FBI Agent Byrd
RJ Cyler	...	Rudell 'Boo' Curry
Jonathan Majors	...	Johnny 'Lil Man' Curry
Eddie Marsan	...	Art Derrick
Taylour Paige	...	Cathy Volsan-Curry
Bruce Dern	...	Grandpa Roman 'Ray' Wershe
Piper Laurie	...	Grandma Verna Wershe
Raekwon Haynes	...	Edwin 'Nugg' Crutcher
Ishmael Ali	...	'Freaky Steve' Roussell (as Ishmael 'Ishdarr' Ali)
James Howard	...	Chief Homicide Inspector Hill

Storyline

Set in 1980s Detroit at the height of the crack epidemic and the War on Drugs, WHITE BOY RICK is based on the moving story of a blue-collar father and his teenage son, Rick Wershe Jr., who became an undercover police informant and later a drug dealer, before he was abandoned by his handlers.

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Plot Keywords:

detroit michigan | drug trafficking | three word title | color in title | gender in title | 

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Taglines:

Witness the rise of America's youngest hustler, dealer, kingpin, informant, legend.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, drug content, violence, some sexual references, and brief nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richie Merritt, who plays White Boy Rick, grew up in Baltimore County. The actor's thick Baltimore accent is obvious at certain points in the film, despite the character being from Detroit, MI.

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Goofs

When Rick and friends find the rats and open fire on them, Boo gets blood splatter on his clothes and face. In the first couple of shots, there's a large spot on his cheek; in the next, the large spot is gone and the blood is more spread out.

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Quotes

Richard Wershe Sr.: [From Trailer] When I first saw you I knew you were going to be bigger than me.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Failed Oscar Bait Movies of 2018 (2019)

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Soundtracks

Out of the Dark
Written and Performed by Max Richter
Courtesy of Milan Records
Published by Mute Song Ltd. and Rough Trade Publishing
By arrangement with Bank Robber Music

User Reviews

Ricklantis Mishap

The movie isn't bad. It isn't mouth dropping awesome but it is highly intriguing. Its a movie that starts off a little slow but the speed starts to pick up and it stays steady. Its not the most ideal story but its one that when you watch it you start to question why things happen the way they do. Why pick from the lower level families but then that's typical. The trailer tells enough of the story that you get the gist of it.

The FBI essentially picks up and recruits the kid that turns to be the youngest informant. They get what they need and then done. But then it is Detroit back then and it hasn't been painted in a nice picture. Now is it worth watching a second time? That's most likely a no unless you have nothing else to do. Its good for that first viewing but beyond that you'll be better off spending your money on something else.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

White Boy Rick

Filming Locations:

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,860,431, 16 September 2018

Gross USA:

$24,011,188

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$25,957,482

Company Credits

Production Co:

LBI Productions, Protozoa Pictures, Studio 8

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1