Ricky Wershe Jr, AKA White Boy Rick, went to jail in 1987 at the age of 17 and is still in jail today though he was paroled 2017. “White Boy Rick” tells his story from the age of 14 to 17 with an addendum at the end.

The film covers many topics like the state of Detroit at the time, corrupt cops and politicians, drug dealers, teenagers giving birth, Black versus White subjects, all very lightly including time spent in prison. The two subjects that the film delves into are Ricky Jr., who as a teenager is used and gets involved in dealing drugs by ‘law-abiding’ adults. The other subject is about family and the fight to stay together.

The family consists of grandparents (Piper Laurie and Bruce Dern), father (Matthew McConaughey) brother (Richie Merritt) and sister (Bel Powley) each having problems but all there for each other for good or bad. All we know about the children’s mother is that she left before the film starts.

The cast also includes Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rory Cochrane as FBI agents, Brian Tyree Henry as a narcotics cop, Eddie Marsan as a drug kingpin, RJ Cyler as Ricky’s friend among many who come and go without a chance to make an impact.

The movie mainly relies on McConaughey who plays the shady dealing con man with dreams and the father who loves his children giving a definitive portrait of the man. With more face time and some deeper scenes Merritt is at a disadvantage being a nonprofessional cast in his first role. At times he acts as a typical teenager, which may be natural, while at other times he doesn’t quite have the gravitas needed in some scenes.

Bel Powley as the daughter/sister is a match for McConaughey and, in a few scenes is too intense for Merritt.

“White Boy Ricky” is directed by Yann Demange with the screenplay by Andy Weiss, Logan Miller and Noah Miller with both sides seeming not to know what to concentrate on, a shaky camera coming and going for no any particular reason, which at times prevents the audience from being quite as engaged as it should and could be.

“White Boy Ricky” is an interesting film to see because it approaches an often done subject from a new angle.


(I suggest you watch this documentary on youtube--though it has some spoilers it will give you a better idea what the film is about and whether it is something you would like to see--or not.t you watch this documentary on youtube--though it has some spoilers it will give you a better idea what the film is about and whether it is something you would like to see--or not.)


The 'White Boy' Rick story Documentary







Movie trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaHF2D1HWYs&t=18s