White Boy Rick
White Boy Rick | |
---|---|
Directed by | Yann Demange |
Screenplay by |
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Based on | Richard Wershe Jr. |
Produced by | |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Tat Radcliffe |
Edited by | Chris Wyatt |
Music by | Max Richter |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing[1] |
Release dates |
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Running time | 111 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $29 million[3] |
Box office | $26 million[3] |
White Boy Rick is a 2018 American
White Boy Rick premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2018, and was released in the United States on September 14, 2018, by Sony Pictures Releasing. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed over $25 million, $4 million short of its $29 million budget.
Plot
In 1984, Rick Wershe is a struggling single father living in
At a party following a boxing match in
In 1986, a little boy tells Ricky that his former girlfriend had a daughter named Keisha, and that Ricky is the father. Rick and Ricky come over to see the child, who wins over the affection of both of them. Later on, they find Dawn at a drug den and forcibly take her home to detox.
In 1987, Ricky goes back to selling crack and assumes the role that Johnny left behind, even going so far as having sex with his wife, Cathy. Rick discovers he has earned more than enough money to make his father's dream of opening up a
After another year, Dawn, Rick, and Keisha visit Ricky in prison. Rick tries to give his son hope but Ricky laments that his life is over. Rick tears up and apologizes for not being able to give him an easy life like he wanted. The credits reveal that Ricky was imprisoned for over 30 years, holding the record for the longest prison term for a non-violent offender in the state of Michigan. He was finally released on parole in 2017. His father died in 2014. His daughter, Keisha, is now happily married with two sons. A voice recording of the real Ricky Wershe Jr. plays in the background, saying that nobody thought he should really be in prison, but that he was feeling happy and hopeful.
Cast
- Matthew McConaughey as Richard Wershe Sr.
- Richie Merritt as Richard Wershe Jr.
- Bel Powley as Dawn Wershe
- Jennifer Jason Leigh as FBI Agent Alex Snyder
- Brian Tyree Henry as Detroit PD Vice Detective Mel “Roach” Jackson
- Rory Cochrane as FBI Agent Frank Byrd
- RJ Cyler as Rudell "Boo" Curry
- Jonathan Majors as Johnny "Lil Man" Curry
- Eddie Marsan as Art Derrick
- Taylour Paige as Cathy Volsan-Curry
- Bruce Dern as Grandpa Roman "Ray" Wershe
- Piper Laurie as Grandma Verna Wershe
- Kwon Haynes as Edwin "Nug" Crutcher
- IshDARR as Steven "Freaky Steve” Roussell
- James Howard as Chief Homicide Inspector Hill
- YG as Leo "Big Man" Curry
- Danny Brown as Edward "Black Ed" Hanserd
- Nicholas Link as “Lil Tik” Curry Gang
- Kyanna Simone Simpson as Brenda Moore
Production
In February 2015, Studio 8 acquired a spec script by Logan Miller and Noah Miller, titled White Boy Rick.[6]
In November 2016, Matthew McConaughey joined the cast of the film, with Yann Demange directing the film, Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin and John Lesher produced the film under their Protozoa Pictures and LBI Entertainment banners, respectively.[7] In January 2017, Bruce Dern and Jennifer Jason Leigh joined the cast of the film.[8] In February 2017, Bel Powley and Brian Tyree Henry joined the cast of the film.[9][10] In March 2017, Richie Merritt, Jonathan Majors, YG, Taylour Paige, Piper Laurie and RJ Cyler joined the cast of the film.[11][12]
Principal photography began on March 14, 2017.[13][failed verification][14] Following audience testing, in which the film scored quite high—in the 90s—director Yann Demange was given the go-ahead to shoot extra scenes.[15]
Release
The film was originally scheduled to be released on January 12, 2018,[16] but was pushed back two weeks from its original release date of January 12, 2018, to January 26 , 2018,[17] and was pushed back again from January 26, 2018, to August 17, 2018, after successful test screenings.[15] In April 2018 it was pushed back again from August 17, 2018, to September 14, 2018.[18] It had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2018.[19][20] It was also screened at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2018.[21]
Reception
Box office
In the United States and Canada, White Boy Rick was released alongside The Predator, A Simple Favor and Unbroken: Path to Redemption, and was projected to gross $5–9 million from 2,504 theaters in its opening weekend.[22] It ended up debuting to $8.8 million, finishing fourth behind The Predator, The Nun and A Simple Favor.[23] It dropped 43% in its second weekend to $5 million, finishing sixth.[24]
Critical response
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 57% based on 155 reviews, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Solid work from the cast - particularly a scene-stealing Matthew McConaughey - helps White Boy Rick make up for a number of missed opportunities in the script."[25] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 59 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[26] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it a 64% positive score and a 44% "definite recommend".[23]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Film releases". Variety Insight. Archived from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- Columbia Pictures Corporation. British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ a b "White Boy Rick (2018)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (October 14, 2023). "Piper Laurie, Actress in 'The Hustler,' 'Carrie' and 'Twin Peaks,' Dies at 91". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ "Piper Laurie, Oscar nominee for Carrie and The Hustler, dies at 91". the guardian. October 14, 2023.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ Kit, Borys (February 1, 2017). "Bel Powley to Play Matthew McConaughey's Daughter in 'White Boy Rick' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ McNary, Dave (March 24, 2017). "Power Ranger R.J. Cyler Joins 'White Boy Rick' Cast". Variety. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
- ^ "Current Basic Agreement Production List" (PDF). Directors Guild of America. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 30, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ Christine (December 9, 2016). "Will Matthew McConaughey be filming in Detroit next year?". On Location Vacations. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 5, 2017). "'White Boy Rick' Takes A Trip To August 2018 In Release Date Change". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 9, 2017). "Sony Release Date Changes: 'White Boy Rick' Takes Over 'Bad Boys 3' MLK Slot, 'Goosebumps 2' Moves To Fall 2018 & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ Lang, Brent (June 16, 2017). "'Solutrean' Retitled 'Alpha,' Gets New Release Date (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 10, 2018). "'Alpha' & 'White Boy Rick' Swap Release Dates On Sony Schedule". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ Tapley, Kristopher (August 30, 2018). "'First Man,' 'Front Runner' and 'Roma' Among 2018 Telluride Film Festival Selections". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
- ^ "45th Telluride Film Festival Program Guide" (PDF). Telluride Film Festival. The National Film Preserve. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (July 24, 2018). "Toronto: Timothee Chalamet Starrer 'Beautiful Boy,' Dan Fogelman's 'Life Itself' Among Festival Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- Penske Media. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 16, 2018). "Why 'The Predator' Is Shorter Than 'Predators' At $24M & 'White Boy Rick' So Pale At $8M+ – Sunday Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 23, 2018). "'The House With A Clock In Its Walls' Sounding Near $27M Alarm; Counterprogramming Still In Deep Sleep". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
- ^ "White Boy Rick (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- ^ "White Boy Rick reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 24, 2018.