The Wendell Baker Story
THINKFilm | Release Date: May 18, 2007 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
44
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
4
Mixed:
8
Negative:
3
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
70
VarietyJoe Leydon
A loose-knit, character-driven comedy that percolates with good-vibe amusement, often earning industrial-strength guffaws with sneaky one-liners and tossed-off non-sequiturs. Read full review
63
USA TodayClaudia Puig
Directing seems to suit Luke, who also does some of his best work to date on screen. Read full review
63
New York PostLou Lumenick
Slight but consistently entertaining. Read full review
63
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Despite a terribly conceived coda, Luke and his brothers have mostly succeeded, thanks in large part to sharp dialogue, a solid vintage soundtrack (Rick Nelson's "Garden Party" features prominently) and some great older actors -- Cassel is a particular standout -- from the heyday of American cinema. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeFore
In large part the film succeeds, feeling like a good-natured throwback. Read full review
50
New York Magazine (Vulture)David Edelstein
If you want proof that Will Ferrell is the most riotously funny straight man since Jack Benny, observe the way his utter sincerity (in the Ralph Bellamy role, as Wendell’s rival for Eva Mendes) lifts this two-ton piece of whimsy into the stratosphere. Read full review
50
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
A sweet, dumb pup of a movie, not unlike its eponymous hero, The Wendell Baker Story frisks along sniffing the sidewalk. Read full review
50
The New York TimesStephen Holden
The appeal of The Wendell Baker Story depends on how charming you find the Wilson brothers, with their chipmunk grins and hip smart-aleck attitude. For my taste, a little goes a long way. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
A shiny shell of a movie, "TWBS" is pretty to look at, and occasionally fun to watch. But ultimately, it's an exercise in futility - for the participants, who can do so much more, and the audience, which deserves so much better. Read full review
42
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Feels like an attempt to rebottle the postmodern fizz of Wes Anderson's "Bottle Rocket." I wish instead they'd put a stopper in it. Read full review
40
L.A. WeeklyRobert Wilonsky
For a movie aiming to play like some 1970s throwback, both in sound and spirit, the most depressing thing about The Wendell Baker Story is how messy and impersonal it feels. Read full review
40
Los Angeles TimesCarina Chocano
A cast this charismatic is bound to make something of the situation. In short bursts, the movie is alternately sunny and charming, dark and weird, confounding and dull. Read full review
30
The New YorkerAnthony Lane
Some people make films in homage to Ingmar Bergman, others nod to the French New Wave, but only the Wilsons would think to follow in the footsteps of Burt Reynolds. Read full review
30
Austin ChronicleJosh Rosenblatt
I hate to sound like a disappointed parent, but I expected more from Luke Wilson. Read full review
25
PremierePeter Debruge
Movies in which the same person serves as writer, director, and star should carry a special warning for audiences, even if that individual happens to be an actor as endearing as Luke Wilson. Read full review
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