Tough to watch, the acting is what makes this film worth seeing. Matthew McConaughey gives a great, gut wrenching performance in this tough, “mostly” true story about a family that punishes each other before finally coming together. He plays the single father of a teen who gets in deep trouble, becoming a drug dealer who then becomes the youngest FBI informant at 16 to try to save his butt. It takes place in gritty Detroit during the 1980’s.
Director Yann Demange (TV’s Top Boy, Criminal Justice) gets the most out of his cast in this down and dirty tale. McConaughey is amazing as the desperate and manic, Richard Wershe, Sr. He’s the father you hope to never have. He’s a down and out gun wheeler-dealer who is trying to teach his son, Richard Jr, played by Richie Merritt, the tricks of the trade.
The film is adapted from Richard, Jr.’s book “White Boy Rick” co-authored by Scott M. Burnstein. This is Merritt’s first time acting. He was recommended by his high school principal after a nationwide search by the director. He reminds us of a young Ansel Elgort in looks, but has a raw, rough-around-the edges, yet reserved, demeanor that works well for this role. You feel empathy for this kid who is just trying to get a better life but really hasn’t got a chance.
Rick is a teen who decides he’s had enough of his devoted, but abusive father and gets in trouble trying to make his own money to get a better life for himself by selling drugs. His best friend Rudell “Boo” Curry, (RJ Cyler), is younger brother of the leader of the Black Curry drug ring. They name him “White Boy Rick.” He also wants to save his crack addicted sister, Dawn (Bel Powley – Wilding, Diary of a Teenage Girl). There is a particularly touching scene with Merritt and Powley when he brings her an oversize stuffed animal at a diner. Director Demange’s shot from outside the diner shows a warmer, more hopeful side to their strained family relationship.
Rick is close to his Grandparents, Ray, played agitated and crusty by Bruce Dern and the sweet, loving Verna, played by Piper Laurie, who live across the street. They try to be a buffer between Richard Sr. and his kids. They keep trying to save their grandchildren, but are noticeably frustrated with the whole ugly mess.
Jennifer Jason Leigh as FBI Agent Snyder is scary, cold and controlling in her performance convincing Rick to become an informant to bring down the big Curry drug ring and the Mayor. Rick makes a mistake by getting too close to the Mayor’s wife and ends up getting pinched for drug trafficking. His family steps up, but the plea deal the FBI promised doesn’t stick. Demange gives us a lesson in the justice system in a corrupt time and place.
This is one down and dirty movie. Part of it was shot in Detroit, most of it was shot in Cleveland. Though the structure of the script is mostly chronological, it’s not well paced and moves slowly.
The performances showing how the family comes together are worth watching. McConaughey is naturally intense, but takes it to the limit in this difficult father/son relationship. Richie Merritt is a find, who was able to combine innocence with just enough bravado. And Bel Powley is someone to watch. She displays a range from the very dregs to the top with realistic emotion. It’s a tragic story explained well by Director Demange with an eventual resolution for Rick and his family. Rick got sent up for 30 years, and, at times, it felt almost as long seeing it recreated on screen.
Columbia Pictures 1 hour 50 minutes R
