The story of teenager Richard Wershe Jr., who became an undercover informant for the FBI during the 1980s and was ultimately arrested for drug-trafficking and sentenced to life in prison.
Based on the incredible true story that could only happen in a country with an abysmal War on Drugs policy. “White Boy Rick,” tells the tale of how a 17-year-old became the youngest non-violent offender to be sentenced to 30 years in prison. It’s wonderfully gritty and I’m amazed I’ve never heard of him.
Matthew McConaughey, sporting a sick mullet, plays Richard, Rick’s (Richie Merritt) illegal gun dealing, fast-talking father. In the beginning, the pair head to a gun show and together extort two AK-47s from a shady gun dealer who is pawning Egyptian knockoffs as authentically Russian. He has no problem making his teenage son an accomplice to the crime. At home, Richard modifies the guns to be fitted with big silver silencers. Rick brings the guns to a local dealer, Lil Man (Jonathan Majors), who’s impressed by his gusto and his customized deadly hardware. Rick’s home life is hectic, his dad is struggling financially while saving up for a video rental store, and his sister Dawn (Bel Powley) is heavily addicted to crack cocaine. His grandparents, played by cinema legends Bruce Dern and Piper Laurie, live across the street and bring charming levity in most scenes.
After Rick’s recent acquaintances and a gangland slaying, the FBI and the local PD set their sights on the vulnerable teenager. In some brilliant casting, Jennifer Jason Leigh’s FBI Agent Snyder is partnered with Rory Cochrane’s Agent Byrd and their local Detroit PD liaison is played by “Atlanta” alumnus, Brian Tyree Henry. The three proceed to show Rick a grisly photo of a victim shot execution style, the murder weapon identified as his dad’s AK-47. They tell him if he doesn’t become a drug dealing informant, they’ll arrest Richard. In a very unlawful move, they give Rick crack cocaine to get further entrenched with the gang and also, in Rick’s eyes at least, an opportunity to escape his impoverished life. Things quickly escalate and none of the main characters’ lives will be the same.
The costumes and production values are spot on. Rick’s flashy style is of the time donning massive rope gold chains, driving a 1986 Mercedes 500 Sel with the “Please Arrest Me” vanity license plate, ‘Snow Man.’ The soundtrack is a mix of classic urban ’80s tracks like “Juicy fruit” and some great hip-hop.
The movie is directed by Yann Demange, who previously directed the fantastically jolting “71.” “71” was about a British officer getting separated from his unit in Belfast during the height of the Troubles, all framed in a propulsive nightmare. In “White Boy Rick,” he reunites with his previous director of photography Tat Radcliffe. Once again, their chemistry produces photogenically grimy cinematography with some fantastic lighting to boot. Lots of orange/yellow saturated lighting, I’ve noticed European directors/cinematographers bringing a more delicate and subtle approach to American crime tales, ie “The Drop.”
The energy in the movie is akin to its great strobe-lit, Donna Summer-scored trailer. It’s a serious crime drama but there are welcome moments of humor, particularly in a scene where Rick and Dawn come out of a diner chasing after car thieves with guns blazing and are immediately arrested. The story is fast moving but alas, some characters, like the gang members, feel underdeveloped. Most importantly, this is Rick’s movie and first-time actor Richie Merrit really nails his debut performance.
I really appreciated the fact that the movie honestly shows the insanely absurd punishments for non-violent offenders and the corruption festering in law enforcement. Rick could be judged for knowingly breaking the law but the cops clearly are to blame for pushing him onto the path that would be his undoing. Hypocrisy could be perceived with the fact that he’s selling and wants his sister to be sober, but it actually magnifies the drug epidemic affecting everyone.
Available on Blu-ray & DVD Tuesday, December 25th
