About White Boy Rick

White Boy Rick is a 2018 American biographical crime-drama film directed by Yann Demange and written by Andy Weiss, and Logan and Noah Miller. It's set in 1980s Detroit amidst the height of the crack epidemic and war on drugs and follows the journey of Richard Wershe Jr., who became an undercover informant at age 14 before turning to a life of drugs

Making / Production

The film was shot in Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan. Ricky's house was actually located in Cleveland's Collinwood region. The location was chosen to maintain the authenticity of the period and location of the true story.

Actors

• Matthew McConaughey as Richard Wershe Sr., Rick's father who struggles to raise his children and steer Rick clear of crime.
• Ritchie Merritt as Richard Wershe Jr., known as "White Boy Rick", a young man who becomes the youngest FBI informant and later a drug dealer.
• Bel Powley as Dawn Wershe, Rick's drug-addicted sister, who he strives to help.
• Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rory Cochrane play FBI agents who use Rick as their source.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film marks the feature debut of Ritchie Merritt. He was discovered in his school's principal's office in Baltimore.
• Wershe Jr. is serving a life sentence for a non-violent, drug-related offense.
• This is the second feature film Yann Demange has directed, following '71 (2014).

Quotes

• "They found her in the trunk of a car at the airport, Want me to spell it out for you?" - FBI Agent Snyder
• "The world is full of beasts, one must learn to tame them or be devoured." - Maury
• "Eight pounds, 14 ounces. Such a weight you were born. First time I looked in your eyes, I knew you were gonna be bigger than me. And I didn't know how much I'd love you." - Richard Wershe Sr.

Music, Soundtrack

• "White Boy Rick" - Steve Jablonsky
• "I Got Mine" - The Black Keys
• "Scary" - The Outfit
• "Baby Be Mine" - Jellybean (featuring Levi Stubbs)