The Wendell Baker Story

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The Wendell Baker Story

PG-13

2005

1h 39m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

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42 Reviews

40%

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10,000+ Ratings

Career con artist Wendell Baker (Luke Wilson) discovers he has a talent for straightening out tense situations. Following his release from jail, he decides to pursue a new career in the hospitality industry, and winds up at a retirement home. His new boss (Owen Wilson) is a mean-spirited man who steals the residents' money and treats them like slaves, and tries to involve Wendell in his schemes. Instead, Wendell casts his lot with the residents and helps them fight back.

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Critics Consensus

The Wendell Baker Story is a lackadaisical comedy of quirky characters and situations, but ultimately the lazy narrative bores instead of charms.

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Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

06/08/2007

3/4

Given Luke Wilson's affability, it's also irresistibly charming. You may not buy the film's plot, but you'll invest in him as a man whose heart is always in the right place.

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

05/21/2007

I think it's one of the worst movies of the year. I think it's one of the worst movies I've ever seen.

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Mark Holcomb

Time Out

05/19/2007

4/6

Here's something satisfying: '70s-cinema fetishism with the courage of its convictions.

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Heather Huntington

ReelzChannel.com

08/28/2008

4/10

I haven't seen this many old coots getting up to no good since Cocoon.

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S. Jhoanna Robledo

Common Sense Media

10/22/2007

2/5

Wilson bros' uneven comedy has dark undertones.

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Ted Murphy

Murphy's Movie Reviews

07/14/2007

C

just a shaggy dog story dressed up in cowboy boots and a cool belt.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 30

Funny in 1 hour and 39 minutes!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Language and Some Crude/Sexual Humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $127,100.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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John R

@RT35941934 04/19/2024

One of the greatest movies ever Luke Wilson obviously worked super hard on it it is a great movie about life and it is extremely funny

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01/27/2016

The characters are kind of funny, but you never really care for anyone of them. The pretty boring story doesn't help either.

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06/10/2013

nothing can save this junk.

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02/28/2013

More Will Ferrell would have made this a classic!

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02/15/2013

I actually liked Kris Kristofferson better than anyone else in the movie.

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Luke Wilson

Director

Andrew Wilson

Director

Luke Wilson

Wendell Baker

Owen Wilson

Neil King

Kris Kristofferson

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Synopsis

Career con artist Wendell Baker (Luke Wilson) discovers he has a talent for straightening out tense situations. Following his release from jail, he decides to pursue a new career in the hospitality industry, and winds up at a retirement home. His new boss (Owen Wilson) is a mean-spirited man who steals the residents' money and treats them like slaves, and tries to involve Wendell in his schemes. Instead, Wendell casts his lot with the residents and helps them fight back.

Director: Luke Wilson, Andrew Wilson
Producer: Mark Johnson, David Bushell
Screenwriter: Luke Wilson
Production Co: Mobius Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Crude/Sexual Humor|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 11, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 18, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $127.1K
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS