The Wendell Baker Story
May 10th, 2007
Proving once again the infinite mutability of the coming-of-age tale, The Wendell Baker Story, written by Luke and co-directed by Luke and Andrew Wilson, grafts a number of borderline absurd conceits onto a ramshackle story about a small-time con-man trying to make his way in the world. In the dappled sunlight of Austin, Texas, Wendell Baker (Luke Wilson) sells fake IDs to immigrants and fails to appreciate his gorgeous girlfriend Doreen (Eva Mendes)–until he gets busted and shipped off to Huntsville Prison, where he comes across a copy of Conrad Hilton’s autobiography and decides to go into the hotel business.
But the “hotel” Wendell is sent to by his parole board is a retirement home under the command of a sadistic head nurse played by brother Owen. The inmates include Kris Kristofferson, Harry Dean Stanton, and Seymour Cassel as horny old men hiding a secret or two. With their help, Wendell has to thwart evil schemes and win back Doreen. Their adventures are thoroughly ridiculous and enjoyable, but like Doreen, we can see right through Wendell’s goofy charm. The Wendell Baker Story is silly but lovable, occasionally very funny, and no dumber than most movies at the multiplex. It’d be fascinating to see what the Wilsons might come up with if they really tried. Opens May 18.
The Wendell Baker Story. Andrew Wilson and Luke Wilson, 2005. ***
- The Wendell Baker Story at Rotten Tomatoes
- The trailer:
Stranger Than Fiction
March 3rd, 2007
A Charlie-Kaufmannish metafiction with Will Ferrell as tax man who hears a voice in his head and realizes it’s a narrator anticipating his death. And just when he’s hooking up with Maggie Gyllenhaal! It shouldn’t take him two hours to locate the writer plotting his demise, and the movie didn’t need to be as dull as it is. Even with a setup this far out there, it’s possible to write convincing characters, but Zach Helm didn’t even try. With Emma Thompson as the blocked author, Queen Latifah as assistant sent by the publishers to get her to write (really?!) and Dustin Hoffman as English professor who helps Ferrell figure out what kind of story he’s in. A few cute moments but plodding and predictable overall.
Stranger Than Fiction. Marc Forster, 2006. **
Talladega Nights
August 7th, 2006
Some amusing moments, but nothing could possibly beat the laughs/minute ratio of the trailer. Will F. is getting to familiar to inspire laughter through his presence alone, and there aren’t really 120 mins worth of jokes here. Still worlds better than that 40 Year Old Virgin p.o.s., but not nearly as outrageously hilarious as Another Gay Movie. After grilling steaks a little NASCAR seemed like just the ticket.
