The Wendell Baker Story
Release Date:
May 18, 2007
Limited release
Movie of the Day for Wednesday, May 9, 2007
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On the Big Board |
Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
181/214 |
Max Braden |
Boring, maybe interesting for cameo spotting. |
Andrew and Luke Wilson set out to prove Owen isn't the only brother who can write with The Wendell Baker Story, which Luke also directs. To be fair, Owen has set the bar pretty high in the past, netting an Academy Award nomination for The Royal Tenenbaums as well as achieving a fair amount of notoriety for Rushmore and Bottle Rocket, all of which he co-wrote with the great Wes Anderson. He shows his support for Andrew and Luke by co-starring in Wendell Baker.
In the film, Luke stars as Wendell, a lovable shlub and con artist whose latest exploits have landed him in jail. He's losing touch with his girlfriend (Eva Mendes) and his best friend (Jacob Vargas). Wendell has even become alienated from his own loyal dog (though maybe the dog just watched My Dog Skip and didn't want to associate with a guy so mean to his canine brethren). Still, Wendell has high hopes for the future and keeps his chin up even as he is behind bars.
When he is released from prison, Wendell is able to get a job at a retirement hotel. There, he becomes friends with several of the home's residents, portrayed by Harry Dean Stanton, Kris Kristofferson and Seymour Cassel. His new buddies try to help him win back the love of his life even as all of them must battle the hotel's evil head nurse, Neil King (Owen Wilson), and his henchman (Eddie Griffin).
THINKFilm will release The Wendell Baker story on a limited basis. It has already made a run of several movie festivals, so it has some supporters. Fans of the Wilson brothers will assuredly not want to miss it. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
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