Proving once again the infinite mutability of the coming-of-age tale, The Wendell Baker Story, written by Luke Wilson and co-directed by Luke and his brother Andrew Wilson, grafts a number of borderline absurd conceits onto a ramshackle story about a small-time con man trying to make his way in the world.
In the dappled sunlight of Austin, Texas, Wendell Baker (Luke Wilson) sells fake IDs to immigrants and fails to appreciate his gorgeous girlfriend Doreen (Eva Mendes). Wendell is content -- until he gets busted and shipped off to Huntsville Prison, where he comes across a copy of Conrad Hilton’s autobiography and decides to go into the hotel business. But the "hotel" Wendell is sent to by his parole board is a retirement home under the command of a sadistic head nurse played by brother Owen. The inmates include Kris Kristofferson, Harry Dean Stanton, and Seymour Cassel as horny old men hiding a secret or two.
Harry Dean Stanton and Seymour Cassel in The Wendell Baker Story
(ThinkFilm)With their help, Wendell has to thwart evil schemes and win back Doreen. Their adventures are thoroughly ridiculous and enjoyable, but like Doreen, we can see right through Wendell’s goofy charm. The Wendell Baker Story is silly but lovable, occasionally very funny, and no dumber than most movies at the multiplex. It would be fascinating to see what the Wilsons might come up with if they really tried.
