Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- warm
- hopeful
- lazy sunday
- feel good movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film amiable and good-natured but uneven, with modest charm undermined by a thin and predictable story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Wendell leaves prison and uses his good nature to help vulnerable residents while trying to repair his relationship with Doreen.
Wendell's genial optimism wins the trust of three senior residents and draws them into opposing the care home's scam.
The central workplace is a board and care home where Wendell discovers criminal exploitation of its residents.
Wendell loves Doreen but hesitates to tell her, contributing to their separation and his attempt to win her back.
Films like The Wendell Baker Story, and why
Bottle Rocket
shared offbeat comedy, redemption arc, romance, and low-stakes criminal misadventure
The Cooler
shared warm-hearted comedy, charming ex-con protagonist, and improvised-feeling ensemble camaraderie
The Mexican
shared romantic comedy, workplace dysfunction, and optimistic outsider trying to repair his life
The Grand Seduction
shared quirky comedy-drama, eccentric supporting characters, and gentle themes of second chances
Movie Details
- Directors
- Luke Wilson, Andrew Wilson
- Release Date
- 2005-08-03
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 5.1 / 10 (80)
Cast
- Luke Wilson
- Eva Mendes
- Jacob Vargas
- Owen Wilson
- Harry Dean Stanton
- Kris Kristofferson
- Seymour Cassel
- Eddie Griffin
- Will Ferrell
- Angela Alvarado
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Wendell Baker Story about?
- A sunny ex-con turns a senior-care scam into an unlikely mission of friendship, justice, and romantic repair.
- What is The Wendell Baker Story like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Wendell Baker Story as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Wendell Baker Story violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Wendell Baker Story as mild.
- What did critics think of The Wendell Baker Story?
- Critics generally found the film amiable and good-natured but uneven, with modest charm undermined by a thin and predictable story.
- Which films are like The Wendell Baker Story?
- Films with a similar feel include Bottle Rocket, The Cooler, The Mexican, and The Grand Seduction.
- How long is The Wendell Baker Story?
- The Wendell Baker Story runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Wendell Baker Story?
- In United States, The Wendell Baker Story streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
