Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

The Wendell Baker Story

PG-13 Released Mar 11, 2005 1h 39m Comedy List
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 Peacock Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Wendell Baker Story

The Wendell Baker Story

What to Know

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

Critics Reviews

View All (42) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review 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 Full Review Mark Holcomb Time Out Here's something satisfying: '70s-cinema fetishism with the courage of its convictions. Rated: 4/6 May 19, 2007 Full Review 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 Full Review S. Jhoanna Robledo Common Sense Media Wilson bros' uneven comedy has dark undertones. Rated: 2/5 Oct 22, 2007 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (561) audience reviews
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 Full Review 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 Full Review anthony b More like Wendull Baker… minus the story. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member nothing can save this junk. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member More Will Ferrell would have made this a classic! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Wendell Baker Story

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Fun With Dick and Jane 29% 49% Fun With Dick and Jane Starsky & Hutch 63% 49% Starsky & Hutch You, Me and Dupree 20% 50% You, Me and Dupree TRAILER for You, Me and Dupree The Cookout 5% 37% The Cookout The Longest Yard 31% 62% The Longest Yard TRAILER for The Longest Yard Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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
Most Popular at Home Now