When White Boy Rick works, it is a beautiful and heartfelt drama about family and the injustice of the legal system when it comes to the war on drugs, featuring stunning performances by both established actors and a promising newcomer. But the second half of the film loses itself and rushes through the most interesting aspects of the story.
You may be forgiven for thinking Yann Demange’s sophomore feature was going to be like Scarface. It’s got everything you would want out of a crime film – an underdog in a bad family situation who suddenly becomes successful by selling crack cocaine at age 15. Yet White Boy Rick has more in common with Spring Breakers than Scarface. This is a film about the optimism of a family who is convinced hard work will make anyone achieve the American Dream, and how that family can endure the hardships of the ’80s drug epidemic.
Source: IGN.com White Boy Rick Review