The Wendell Baker Story

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The Wendell Baker Story

PG-13

2005

1h 39m

Comedy

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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

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.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 8, 2007

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

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.

May 21, 2007

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Mark Holcomb

Time Out

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

Rated: 4/6

May 19, 2007

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Heather Huntington

ReelzChannel.com

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

Rated: 4/10

Aug 28, 2008

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S. Jhoanna Robledo

Common Sense Media

Wilson bros' uneven comedy has dark undertones.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 22, 2007

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Ted Murphy

Murphy's Movie Reviews

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

Rated: C

Jul 14, 2007

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Stephen C

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

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John R

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

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michael t

An amazing cast in this 'hard luck case makes good' story. Eva Mendes is gorgeous, as usual, as the love interest. The set-up is overly long and slow, but it picks up momentum after that and has some amusing twists and turns. I like a feel-good story, so I'm willing to suspend disbelief. I probably won't be thinking about this tomorrow, though.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

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

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

nothing can save this junk.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

More Will Ferrell would have made this a classic!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Luke Wilson

Director

Andrew Wilson

Director

Luke Wilson

Wendell Baker

Owen Wilson

Neil King

Kris Kristofferson

Nasher

Eva Mendes

Doreen

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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 (Language|Some Crude/Sexual Humor)
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

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