In his writing and directing debut, Luke Wilson plays Wendell Baker, a laid-back loser who decides to start a new life after being released on parole from prison. He gets a job at an old people's retirement home led by the shady head nurse Neil King (Owen Wilson) and his assistant McTeague (Eddie Griffin) who keep shamelessly embezzling the inhabitants' meager income. With a few spirited residents, Wendell starts an operation to put an end to King's schemes and to win back the heart of his old girlfriend Doreen (Eva Mendes).There are many attempts at good jokes in the movie, but sadly the Wilsons' lack of directing experience is glaringly obvious. The different plot lines are very clunkily connected and don't feel like they belong in the same movie at all. The Wendell character's change of nature during his prison time is not very convincing and even if it was, his relationship with the responsible Doreen never rings true. In a lighthearted comedy it wouldn't necessarily matter, but since the Doreen plot line (involving Will Ferrell as her new boyfriend) is the most serious one in the movie, it only feels awkward and out of place.The King and McTeague characters look like they belong in a dark comedy, while Wendell and his elderly friends' trip to the farm of King's mother would be closer to a cheeky road trip movie. The trip sequence is the one that works the best in any case, thanks to the charismatic supporting actors Harry Dean Stanton and Seymour Cassel as the ever-virile Skip and Boyd who keep stealing the show from the bland Wilson. Kris Kristofferson is wasted in a small role though; I wish that the movie had spent more time with the old folks anyway instead of trying to fit so many different story lines in one tale.It looks like the script was a little too far-reaching for the first-time directors, as now the movie doesn't seem to know if it wants to be more of a drama or comedy; the elements and plot lines just don't mix well into a successful dramedy either. Even though I did enjoy the setting in the Southern USA and some of the constantly playing country songs on the soundtrack, over all I cannot really call the film good at all. Perhaps with more writing and directing experience the Wilsons can eventually produce a more streamlined effort, but as it is now, The Wendell Baker Story remains clumsy and artificial.

This film is about an ex-conman running a retirement home. He finds conscience and helps the deprived elderly there.Since it stars Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell, I thought "The Wendell Baker Story" would be entertaining. However, I was hugely disappointed as it turned out to be a tedious bore. The story is not engaging and poorly developed. The lead character is unsympathetic, and indeed unlikable, and I care little about him. There is no joke or humour in it at all. I can see Owen Wilson tries very hard to be entertaining and sarcastic as a crooked manager, but he fails to liven up the bleak atmosphere. "The Wendell Baker Story" is neither funny nor entertaining. I seriously expected more of the Wilson brothers and Will Ferrell.

This is the type of film that makes you feel good, no matter what mood you are in. Luke shines as the title character and he shows the world what he can really do. Owen is his golden self. His comedy and talent is evident and he proves he can do evil with comedy added. The chemistry between these two Texans's is evident as they light up the screen . The directing by Andrew and Luke Wilson is amazing and makes you wish you were there. They draw you into the film from the first second. Its a light hearted look at how your life can be turned around by various means. The Wilsons have struck gold with this wonderful tale. Full of love, comedy, triumph and a feel good factor. This film needs to be seen worldwide. To show how talented these Wilsons really are.

I saw the Wendell Baker Story last weekend at the Vail film festival and thought it was a charming, funny, truly enjoyable movie. It was very different from Luke Wilson's work with Owen Wilson & Wes Anderson, but in a great way. The quirkiness of Anderson's films was evident, but there was an added tenderness and empathy between the characters, which says a lot about the quality of the script, the direction, and the acting. Luke Wilson was very appealing in the title role--his face is so expressive! As always, Owen Wilson & Will Ferrell were hysterical. I'd recommend this movie to anyone who likes not only the Owen/Anderson combination, but to anyone who likes romantic comedies. (I must mention, and I hope this doesn't sound derogatory, the scenery in the film made me want to visit Texas for the first time ever.)