The Wendell Baker Story

Play trailer

The Wendell Baker Story

PG-13

2005

1h 39m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

42 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Prime Video

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Mark Holcomb

Time Out

05/19/2007

4/6

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

Go to Full Review

Heather Huntington

ReelzChannel.com

08/28/2008

4/10

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

Go to Full Review

S. Jhoanna Robledo

Common Sense Media

10/22/2007

2/5

Wilson bros' uneven comedy has dark undertones.

Go to Full Review

Ted Murphy

Murphy's Movie Reviews

07/14/2007

C

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

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

@bob25009 06/30/2025

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

See more

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.

See more

06/10/2013

nothing can save this junk.

See more

02/28/2013

More Will Ferrell would have made this a classic!

See more

02/15/2013

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

See more

12/09/2012

A decent flick, not great. Luke Wilson does a good job in a Owen Wilson type role.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Luke Wilson

Director

Andrew Wilson

Director

Luke Wilson

Wendell Baker

Owen Wilson

Neil King

Kris Kristofferson

Nasher

Eva Mendes

Doreen

Fun With Dick and Jane

30%

49%

Fun With Dick and Jane

Watchlist

Starsky & Hutch

63%

49%

Starsky & Hutch

Watchlist

You, Me and Dupree

21%

50%

You, Me and Dupree

Watchlist

TRAILER

for You, Me and Dupree

The Cookout

5%

37%

The Cookout

Watchlist

The Longest Yard

31%

62%

The Longest Yard

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Longest Yard

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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