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

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

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Connections

References Serpico (1973)

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Soundtracks

After Laughter (Comes Tears)
Written by Wendy Rene (as Mary Lou Frierson) and Johnnie Frierson (as Joseph W. Frierson)
Performed by Wendy Rene
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Published by Irving Music, Inc. (BMI) on behalf of East Memphis Music Corp.

User Reviews

White boy Rick transported me back to the 80s

I like White boy rick. The casting was done correctly. Rick was believable as a teenager gangster who gets caught up in the drug business. I believe the chemistry between the Father and the son. The story progress well adding a punch of drama one after the other until we get the conclusion of his life.

I like the set design a lot. The music, the city, the clothes haircut and all that. Transported me to a time I did get to experience.

I recommend this movie to my family and friends.

-B

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