There are too many singer-songwriter tunes in this uneven film. It's story upon story within a story and it never really settles down or breaks open. Believe me, I really wanted it to settle down and let me sink my teeth into it (like good pastrami on rye w/ mustard and nice big garlic dill pickle).

“The Wendell Baker Story” looks to the 70s to bring us a hopeful story(-ies). Wendell Baker (LUKE WILSON) is an ex-con with a good heart. He is paroled and he must go to a retirement “hotel”� where he helps take care of the residents. Three elderly residents (played by HARRY DEAN STANTON, SEYMOUR CASSEL and KRIS KRISTOFFERSON) help him win back his girlfriend Doreen (EVA MENDES). They also help him to try and expose scammer head nurse Neil King (OWEN WILSON) and his corrupt practices at the “hotel”�.

The film may have tanked completely if it hadn’t been for the performances of STANTON, CASSEL and KRISTOFFERSON. The dialog was crisp but it didn’t have the holding power to keep the movie together and moving. It needed those three men. Themes like second chances, lost and found relationships, having dreams and aspirations, justice come through pretty clear.

One other thing bothered me. MENDES got second billing. If what she did is what is called acting, then I’ll start eating pastrami on white bread. Leave the pickle!

If you are a fan of the Wilson brothers you might like this film. If you aren’t, don’t bother. Go to the deli.