2009’s Fighting is the only film by director Dito Montiel that I’ve had the pleasure of watching. Although it’s been a while since I saw it, I remember Channing Tatum bringing a high energy to his role. This leads me to believe that Montiel has a talent for bringing out the best in his actors. I noticed this quality again in Riff Raff, which features an ensemble cast that might not work on paper. However, the combination of comedic and dramatic actors, along with the script’s dark humor, makes for an enjoyable viewing experience.
Riff Raff tells the story of two families led by crime patriarchs Vincent (Ed Harris) and Lefty (Bill Murray). Vincent has left his criminal past behind and started a new life with his wife Sandy (Gabrielle Union) and stepson DJ (Miles J. Harvey). Their peaceful New Year’s trip to their vacation home takes a turn when Vincent’s estranged son Rocco (Lewis Pullman) unexpectedly shows up with his pregnant girlfriend Marina (Emanuela Postacchini) and Vincent’s ex-wife Ruth (Jennifer Coolidge). It becomes apparent that Rocco and the others are fleeing from something. When Lefty and his henchman Lonnie (Pete Davidson) are introduced, the connection to Rocco becomes evident.
The cast of Riff Raff is a significant reason why the script works so well. Pete Davidson stands out in a more reserved role, acting as a lapdog to Lefty. His small remarks and hesitant behavior culminate in an outrageous climax that enables him to reveal the type of humor we’re accustomed to seeing from him. Jennifer Coolidge delivers a performance unlike anything I’ve seen from her before. Typically, she is typecast as either clueless or provocative, but in Riff Raff, she portrays a more observant and self-aware character. The rest of the cast also elevates the script by taking on roles that are different from what we usually see them in. The only exception is Ed Harris, whose role doesn’t require much creativity.
Montiel effectively uses flashbacks to help the audience connect with the characters. However, this technique can create a jarring effect by separating the comedy from the violence. Often, I would find myself laughing in one scene only to transition to a much more serious tone in the next. The pairing of comedy and violence rarely remained consistent, but when it did, that’s when the movie truly shined. A standout scene features Lefty and Lonnie interacting with a nosy neighboring couple, showcasing some of the film’s funniest moments and exemplifying how the comedy-violence dynamic should work.
Final Thoughts:
Riff Raff doesn’t introduce anything new to the dark comedy crime sub-genre, but it offers plenty of laughs and entertaining kills for an enjoyable experience. This is the kind of movie that people will mention in conversation in the years to come and say, “Wait, Pete Davidson is in a movie with Ed Harris and Jennifer Coolidge?'”.
3/5
“Rapid Review” is a series of short-form reviews where we give a brief look at new films between our full-length reviews or are older films we want to highlight in between our other film reviews. For film suggestions, email [email protected]. To check out more of our reviews, click here.
Ever since my mom took me to go see The Blair Witch Project in theaters when I was 7 years old I’ve been obsessed with not just movies but the horror genre. When I’m not watching movies you can find me thrifting, attending a local horror convention, or collecting physical media. I attended the University of Central Florida with a degree in Cinema Studies and use my degree to rant about movies online.
MY FAVORITE MOVIES: The Cabin in the Woods, Cabaret, Seven Samurai, The Blair Witch Project, Inglourious Basterds