Movie #916 "Welcome to the Rileys" is a tough one to critique........first, I must say that even though it has a stellar cast, it slows like an indie film, which shots of everyday moment to moment life of these people.....The film really centers just on the three --- the husband, a slouch of a guy with no life left in him (Gandalfini, who, in my opinion, always plays this part), the wife, an uptight, grief stricken woman who is afraid to go outside after her daughter has died (Melissa Leo, whom I have never seen play this part --- but then, she's a chameleon --- wonderful actress), and the stripper whom the husband befriends (for obvious reasons). This girl is played very well by Kristin Stewart, but I'm beginning to think she is best at playing these wounded, angst-ridden young girls --- what's in store for her next? So the film has these people play at their best (while giving a bit of a challenge to humanize the robotic woman for Leo) , and they mostly all deliver stellar performances, in my opinion. You could take scenes out from this film and show in an acting class --- little bits of the lives of wounded souls, for sure. Your heart is breaking for some of the time. The other times, the down times, seem to be like watching out your window at every day life ----- the scenes are still well acted, but the high point seemed manufactured. It's the Kristin Stewart character that seems a bit out of character --- the script asks her to do a big turnaround toward the mother, and I'm not sure she quite delivered it.......too quick, for me, so it was unbelievable. And this is a pivotal scene that precipitates the end. The catastrophe, I guess, didn't quite work, and that affected the whole film for me. I like the arcs the characters all went on, and they just moved small steps, but oh so important ones, and I liked that about the film. The so what was well focused. By the end, you felt like it was worth the whole ride.
Welcome to the Rileys2010R111 minutes I would give it 3.5 out of 5.
Devastated by their daughter's death eight years ago, Doug and his guilt-ridden wife, Lois, lead depressing lives without much meaning. But by forming an unconventional relationship with teen call girl Mallory, the couple begins to rediscover hope.
- Cast:
- James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart, Melissa Leo, Joe Chrest, Ally Sheedy, Tiffany Coty, Eisa Davis, Lance E. Nichols, Peggy Walton-Walker, Sharon Landry, Kathy Lamkin
- Genre:
- Indie Dramas, Drama
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