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

2 nominations.

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:

Based on the true story.

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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 had apparently never heard of Matthew McConaughey and was oblivious to his A-list celebrity status when he agreed to do the film.

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Goofs

Rick offers his friend a "soda", but in Detroit, carbonated beverages are called "pop".

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Quotes

Johnny 'Lil Man' Curry: [after an arranged hit has gone wrong] Leon wasn't even in the motherfuckin' HOUSE!

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Connections

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: White Boy Rick/A Simple Favor (2018)

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Soundtracks

Pump Me Up
Written by Big Tony Fisher (as Tony Fisher), Robert Reed, and James 'Doc' Avery (as James Avery)
Performed by Trouble Funk
Under license from Tuff City Records
Published by Street Tuff Tunes (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Not your typical drug dealer movie.

I enjoyed most of this film. There were a few slow parts and its just as much a family drama as it is a crime/action flick. I thought newcomer Richie Merritt did a good job. He is likable and I found my self rooting for him throughout the movie. The setting of the film is early to mid 80's Detroit when factories are closing and the city is starting to spiral downward. This is a bit depressing but the city itself is kind of a character in the movie because of this. You understand why young men turn to a life of crime when there are no other ways to make a living. White Boy Rick was more a victim of his surroundings and environment than anything else. I can't recommend that you sprain an ankle running out to see WBR but it is worth seeing.

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