The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia

The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia (2009)


Runtime: 86 minutes

Directed by: Julien Nitzberg

Starring: The title characters, the White family

From: Dickhouse

Yep, I’m reviewing a documentary AND one from the guys responsible for that brilliant bit of cultural nourishment known as Jackass (i.e. a show I loathe for being so lowest common denominator); but, I had heard about it for awhile and it looked to be pretty wacky.

Wacky doesn’t explain half of it.

The White family of Boone County, West Virginia (not to be confused with my old home of Boone County, Illinois, even though there were enough bucolic people there too; I’ve known enough of them and they’re good people, if a little wild at times; not as wild as what you see in this movie by any means, though) are the most (in)famous residents of that rural coalmining area of West Virginia. The old patriarch, D. Ray White, was an expert at what is known as “mountain tap dancing” but he was killed long ago; the movie focuses on son Jesco, who inherited his dad’s fancy feet (and he himself has had a variety of TV programs done about him, and has become something of a cult figure, with mentions in various songs) but he and all of his relatives are happy to break all the laws, engaging in fighting, cussing, drug abuse, drinking, and what have you. This trailer pretty much shows their character. They’re admitted white trash and rednecks.

Through D. Ray taking advantage of the system and getting his kin classified as mentally incompetent so that they’d get state aid (something that still goes on today, although I wish the movie would have taken more time to explain that curious situation), they are able to not work at all and engage in all that debauchery.

To be honest, it was hard to feel sympathy for much of them due to the wild way they act. Sure, you can talk about life in a county that is based on something like coalmining, but the movie doesn’t spend too much time talking about it, so why should I do the same thing? Point is, they can change their ways but don’t so it’s hard to feel sympathy for most of the clan that you get to see in action. Having a drug-fueled (and clothing optional) party at what is supposed to be the birthday party of your octogenarian mother and grandmother (D. Ray’s wife)? Snorting prescription drugs at the hospital soon after you give birth? It’s tough to feel much love for them. It’s mainly just gawking at their wild ways, although there’s enough drama with them having to deal with various legal issues.

While you have Hank Williams III appear in the movie and praise the Whites for being “true rebels” (and man, he sounds so much like his grandfather), I say that it’s no surprise given who produced it that it seems like exploitation. Yet, I still managed to enjoy the flick. You’ll be appalled often and yet you’ll also laugh at the Whites. Sure, they seem to be having a good time often, but there’s a lot of sad moments too so I guess that most people who see this can feel better about themselves. To think that there are probably a lot of people in the U.S. who live similar lifestyles. Not that I’m saying all or even a decent number of “good old boys” are disgusting white trash like this. As I’ve said before, I’ve known that type of person before and they don’t act like that, and even when I’ve been out and about at places like wrestling shows, the biggest rednecks I come across have more self-respect than these individuals.

No matter what, the movie is fascinating to watch.

I’ll be back Monday night with a new review.