Wheeler

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2:33

Wheeler

PG

Released Feb 3, 2017

1h 40m

Drama

Music

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Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

A talented singer (Stephen Dorff) travels to Nashville, Tenn., to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a country music star.

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John DeFore

The Hollywood Reporter

In piecing these elements into a narrative, Dorff and co-screenwriter Ross forgot that satisfying stories tend to place some disappointment and conflict between their heroes and success.

Feb 7, 2017

Full Review

Susan Wloszczyna

RogerEbert.com

Dang if [Dorff] doesn't make this simple yet sincere saga hit more than a few high notes.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 3, 2017

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Joe Leydon

Variety

This faux documentary about a country music singer-songwriter plays like a long-distance ego trip.

Feb 3, 2017

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Prairie Miller

WBAI Radio

The on screen proceedings drop hints about Dorff himself, of celebrityhood versus anonymity that come with the ambivalence of fame. And a possibly personal closeted desire to slip into another person's random skin and out of the limelight, for a change.

Feb 9, 2017

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Betty Jo Tucker

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Stephen Dorff makes Wheeler quite real. His great performance seals the deal.

Feb 3, 2017

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Dan Schindel

Paste Magazine

The imitation of the standard music doc style is so perfect that an unknowing viewer would easily think that Wheeler's story is real... It's a pity that it can't parlay this stylistic proficiency and the asset they have in Dorff into any real point.

Rated: 4/10

Feb 3, 2017

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Liam D

As both writer and star Stephen Dorff (Space Truckers, Botched) is very passionate. Too bad it’s an generic drama

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/24/24

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Collie F

Surprisingly entertaining. We now want to visit Nashville.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

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Audience Member

This takes me back to my program director days when I used to listen to hundreds of records to decide what would be our AM country station's new direction. Wheeler's trek is the same path so many people have tried (or dreamed of trying), most ending in failure. The heart of country is the wet, cold Nashville sidewalks and back alleys where the sounds inside you become the theme we drive to as it pours out of your radio every day. It is a prize few people get to give, but one we all get the pleasure of receiving, when it is right, only for a moment in time. I would have liked to see more effort put in creating a satisfying ending, but Dorff's performance and the skillful songwriting make this a hopeful tale that people should see, if only to give them the chance to ponder what happens when you decide to live your most fanciful dream.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

Absolutely horrible. The story must have been written by a child, the music was depressing Muzak, and honestly, there was just no point to it at all.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

Stephen Dorff was an IT BOY in the late 80s, through the 90s, and then his types of roles started going to the newer, shinier versions. He truly inhabits this role convincingly, but the overall story is aw shucks saccharine. Add to that the album-load of songs that aren't that strong or catchy -- this film fails at establishing a musical theme and most of the songs are forgettable.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

5 out of 5 stars. Not what I expected. A cleverly written story narrated along the way. Wheeler leaves his home town in Texas to make his way in Nashville with a little help from friends along the way. Beautifully haunting voice. Ignore the low ratings and check it out for yourself, especially if you are a country music fan.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Ryan Ross

Director

Stephen Dorff

Wheeler

Kris Kristofferson

Self

Audrey Spillman

Self

Bobby Tomberlin

Self

Stephen Dorff

Screenwriter

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Wheeler: Trailer 1

2:33

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Synopsis

A talented singer (Stephen Dorff) travels to Nashville, Tenn., to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a country music star.

Director: Ryan Ross
Producer: Stephen Dorff, Ryan Ross
Screenwriter: Stephen Dorff, Ryan Ross
Distributor: Momentum Pictures
Production Co: Momentum Pictures
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|A Nude Image|Smoking Throughout|Language)
Genre: Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 28, 2017
Runtime: 1h 40m

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