The Wendell Baker Story (2005)
Eddie Griffin, Eva Mendes, Harry Dean Stanton
A good-hearted ex-con goes straight and gets a job in a retirement hotel, where a trio of retired residents help him win back his girl and battle the hotel corruption led by the head nurse.
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PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed by:
Andrew Wilson,
Luke Wilson
Release Date: Mar 11, 2005
DVD Release Date: Oct 30, 2007
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Flixster User Reviews
Stellar cast...just not much to work with. Harry Dean Stanton is the king.
I love the Wilsons and really wanted to like this, but it was terrible in so many ways.
The Wilson brothers make a good team. A funny and interesting story. Great cast. Just could have been a bit shorter, as with most movies, i think could be a bit shorter.
I am not objective at all. A guy working at a hotel near Lake Travis is a sympathetic figure to me. Plus hearing Will Ferrell talk about playing for coach royal was amazing. I think there was a really good story in there, but it showed that it was lu... (read more) I am not objective at all. A guy working at a hotel near Lake Travis is a sympathetic figure to me. Plus hearing Will Ferrell talk about playing for coach royal was amazing. I think there was a really good story in there, but it showed that it was luke's first time directing. Disjointed and you got more of characters you didn't like and less of the good ones. If this was set in Mobile, I'd probably go 1 star. But it isn't in Mobile.
Wow, a movie with the Wilson Bros and Will Ferrel, and it was utter crap! Even the Eye Candy of Eva Mendes couldn't pull this movie from the gutters.
Not the best nor the worst movie I have seen. Dry humor which I appreciate, but not in the top eschelons of that genre. The Wilson brothers are amusing, but too much Luke and not enough Owen.
This is a touchingly funny and sweet movie. Well worth a look! There are sine really great performances in this film! CHECK IT OUT N OW!!
A southern comedy. This film has many black comedy scenes who might not rate well with everybody. The film also suffers with some dramatic moments who are really out of place (The Kris Kristofferson character with all his dramatic story was just lame... (read more) A southern comedy. This film has many black comedy scenes who might not rate well with everybody. The film also suffers with some dramatic moments who are really out of place (The Kris Kristofferson character with all his dramatic story was just lame) Also was Owen Wilson supposed to be funny here? He really was the wrong cast for the "funny sarcastic bad guy"' and so was Eddie Griffith (who I love in Undercover Brother!) his lines and acting were just horrible. Now all of that said the film's soundtrack (and i don't like country music) was pretty awesome and Will Ferrell's character was simply hilarious and also it get intresting at times but this is just an awkward movie. Luke Wilson with the back and forth "slick guy-romantic guy routine" was ok but it got old after a while. Yes the ending is predictable but somehow I enjoyed some of the lines and story twists. Mildly recommended.
Critic Reviews
Though the first Wilson brothers' effort, Bottle Rocket, is far superior, the trio of brothers working together creates a light and enjoyable comic romp.full review
This is a faux feel-good movie, and its hipster insincerity and rote sentimentalism are a dispiriting mix.full review
The Wilsons can't even tell a been-there-done-that story of a con artist who gets his comeuppance without calling it The Wendell Baker Story, as if the character belongs, by virtue of his Wilsonian pedigree, on a pedestal.full review
The Wilsons' venture was shot in Austin, the global center of slackerology, and has barely summoned the energy to leave the place.full review
If its nostalgia is a bit creaky, it's nonetheless also delivered with great heart.full review
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