White Boy Rick (2018)
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A young boy becomes an undercover informant for the FBI while navigating the dangerous world of the 1980s crack epidemic.
The story
In 1984, Rick Wershe is a struggling single father living in Detroit during the height of the crack epidemic and the war on drugs. His dissatisfied daughter, Dawn, leaves their home, leaving Rick alone with his son, Ricky. Rick manufactures gun parts and sells guns illegally to make ends meet, involving his son in the sale of a pair of silenced Egyptian Kalashnikov rifles to local gangster Johnny Curry. Rick's activity attracts the attention of the FBI, who see Ricky as a potential asset due to his connections with the criminal underworld. They convince Ricky to become an undercover informant behind Rick's back in exchange for money and immunity for his father.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1984, Rick Wershe, a struggling single father in Detroit, involves his son Ricky in the illegal gun trade to survive the crack epidemic. The FBI identifies Ricky as a potential informant and recruits him behind his father's back. While Ricky enjoys a new lifestyle and gains credibility as a drug supplier, his father becomes suspicious of his wealth. After a series of escalating events, including a shooting and a realization of his involvement in a child's death, Ricky tries to mend his relationship with his father. By 1986, the family dynamics shift as they find and detox his sister, Dawn. In 1987, Ricky takes over a role in the drug trade and eventually helps his father's dream of opening a video store. However, he is eventually arrested by the FBI for drug distribution. The agents deny their prior relationship, and Ricky is sentenced to life in prison. The film concludes with an epilogue showing Ricky's 30-year imprisonment, his father's death in 2014, and his release in 2017, while his sister finds happiness.
- First release year
- 2018
- Runtime (minutes)
- 111
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Yann Demange
- Writers
- Andy Weiss · screenplay; Logan Miller · screenplay; Noah Miller · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Matthew McConaughey; Richie Merritt; Bel Powley; Jennifer Jason Leigh; Brian Tyree Henry; Rory Cochrane; RJ Cyler; Jonathan Majors; Eddie Marsan; Bruce Dern; Piper Laurie
- Genres
- crime; drama
- Themes
- father-son relationships; war on drugs; betrayal; consequences of crime
- Tone and mood
- dramatic; tense
- Premise and plot tags
- true story; undercover; crime
- Source material / true-story basis
- Richard Wershe Jr.
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed over $25 million, falling short of its $29 million budget.
- Reported review scores
- PostTrak · score: 64% · scale: percentage
- Production trivia
- The film features the final film role of actress Piper Laurie.; The film was scored by Max Richter.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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