Watch White Boy

White Boy from 2017 is a gripping and potent documentary crime drama that tells the riveting, bewildering, and intensely absorbing story of Richard Wershe Jr., a street hustler, police informant, and eventual drug dealer who operated and rose to infamy in the 1980s crime-infested streets of Detroit. Raised in the heart of the inner city, Richard Wershe Jr., also known as 'White Boy Rick', became one of the most unlikely players in the Detroit drug trade. With a narrative that smoothly weaves through decades, this factual crime movie presents an intricate examination of corruption, collusion, and the volatile narcotics scene of one of the most dangerous cities during the United States' escalating war on drugs.

Richard Wershe Jr., a pre-teenager hailing from an underprivileged background, is drawn into the Detroit drug business in the mid-80s. The film exposes how, as a highly underage teenager barely twelve, he gets unknowingly entrenched in the criminal underworld. His compelling story, rife with unimaginable complexities, is told through real-life footage, media clippings, court documentations, and personal interviews, further enriched by voiceover narrations by those who were intimately involved with the case.

All this comes together in an intense and unforgettable exploration of a youth steeped in crime and controversy, sparking dialogues about systemic racism, classism, and institutional failures. His tale reveals not just his predicament but also a wider picture of a nation dealing with the repercussions of a flawed system.

Notably featuring Scott M. Burnstein, an eminent author and crime historian, the movie draws on his expertise to delve into a substantiated account of the events. He offers a comprehensive view of Wershe's striking and unexpected initiation into the drug trade and his manipulation by the federal agents— a murky, clandestine operation to which he was pivotal.

Also, the role of Dana Hathaway is critical to the storyline, who provides thoughtful insights on the case, being Wershe Jr.'s attorney. Through her perspective, the film navigates through the twisted legal pathways, underlining the much-required introspection on the American judiciary and sensitive systemic issues.

The movie doesn't shy away from difficult conversations about the era, exposing the extensive corruption and malpractice within the Detroit police department, as well as the flaws and loopholes in the American justice system. It uncovers the darker truth behind Wershe Jr.'s horrifying transformation from an innocent schoolboy to one of Detroit's most infamous criminals and thereafter, his profitable cooperation with the FBI, which resulted in a tense stand-off with Detroit's crime syndicate.

White Boy proves to be more than a simple narration of a drug dealer's rise and fall. Besides exploring the sociopolitical background of Detroit during the crime-ridden years, it delves into the personal life of Richard and the circumstances that drove him down a path of no return. Behind the hard-hitting documentary is a heartfelt story of a boy forced to bear the burden of a man's world, while it simultaneously reflects on the devastating fallout of the drug trade and the structural issues that fueled it.

The audience is taken on an emotional roller coaster ride, from Wershe Jr.'s relatively innocent childhood, through his alarming initiation into the underworld, his exploits as a youth drug kingpin, and onto his subsequent despair and struggles with the law. The viewers are encapsulated by a whirlwind of powerful emotions, such as empathy, outrage, shock, and at times, a sense of helplessness, as the narrative unfolds.

Fluidly looping through narratives and timelines, the film's smooth progression lends an air of suspense to the proceedings, making it an engaging, yet educative watch. This enthralling documentary illuminates an obscure chapter of America's war on drugs, one that significantly alters your view of the socio-political issues facing urban America.

A flawless blend of powerful storytelling, intricate research, and candid interviews, White Boy is a significant and sensible piece of cinema. The narrative comprises remarkable twists and fascinating characters, keeping you thoroughly gripped to the end. By the time the credits roll, it leaves you with a vivid illustration of a tormented childhood that ends in a vicious cycle of crime and punishment. In its essence, White Boy highlights perceptive conversations about systemic racism, exploitative practices, the intricacies of law and order, and the mind-numbing realities of the underworld.

White Boy is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.