White Boy Rick is based on a true story, which makes it feel churlish not to like it more; it’s like I’m saying that Richard Wershe’s life as the youngest FBI informant in history isn’t interesting enough. First-time actor Richie Merritt was just 15 when he was cast in the role of Richard Wershe, Jr., and he manages ably enough, although he is occasionally in the shadow of Matthew McConaughey, who plays his hungry, huckster dad. You just know this deal is going south faster than a flock of geese, but Rick, Jr. is excited at the money he can make, and agrees to the plan. You can Google Richard Wershe, Jr. to learn the details of his life, some of which is explained in titles before the end credits roll. But White Boy Rick can’t manage to capture the excitement of that life as it was unfurling, nor the sadness we feel looking back on it.

Source: National Post September 14, 2018 16:31 UTC