de facto film reviews 2 stars

Riff Raff is a hard film to pin down, an unusual work and that is both in and against its favor. It is one of the more entertaining films of the early part of this year, with a terrific cast, and yet it only mostly works. This has some lineage with films like The Family, The Whole Nine Yards and Gross Pointe Blank, yet also, surprisingly, classics like The Friends of Eddie Coyle. It is not as distinct as that film, nor as outrageously funny as some of the earlier works. It rides a razor’s edge, and almost nails the landing, slicing itself open during the finale.

Courtesy Roadside Attractions

With a cast featuring Bill Murray, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Pete Davidson and Ed Harris, among others, could the film fail to at least partially engage? The answer is no. What is problematic here is how some of the resolutions come to pass, perhaps too neatly, and almost rushed. Director Dito Montiel and writer John Pollono have crafted a story about a criminal, played by Harris, who long ago left his life behind him in order to begin a new one with a new wife and adopted son. One day, his estranged biological son shows up on his door, along with a pregnant fiancé and the ex-wife he left behind for his new life. In hot pursuit are a mob boss and his right hand man, both bent on exacting vengeance for a very recent, very personal crime committed by the biological son of the former criminal.

A setup we have seen a million times and with beats we have seen at least as many yet within these forms are new variations that hold interest because of the tiny fluctuations and notes of interest the actors and director have managed to discover. Indeed, Coolidge, as the ex-wife, has perhaps not been this good on the big screen in decades, and Harris lends real gravity to his weary low-level hood. Perhaps not surprisingly, it is Bill Murray who is truly terrifying as an angry, hurt and slowly spiraling maniac. His performance is a wonder to behold, tightly coiled rage that is always ready to burst. Davidson is as chilling as any other contract killer from straight dramas, and a nice turn of pace for the gifted comic.

Courtesy Roadside Attractions

Beyond the performances, we have interesting characters, if not original ones. The director is responsible for some of this, in how the characters are framed and via shot selection, but the script dopes manage to evoke a sense of one big unhappy extended family. Imagine if Cousin Eddie, from the Vacation movies was a crook that was about to dump a load of underworld retribution on Clark. The film both works and fails to fully work, because of this unusual tension.

Had the film been a straight drama, it would have needed some levity, and yet, with as much levity as exists, though very dark, it just as often should have played it straight. Yet, part of what does work is how this reflects the horror and joy these characters find in their own lives, particularly the two lives Harris’s hood and his son had or have. You get a real sense that these people know one another. Just as often, you might wish for more scenes of the two sons-especially the amazing Miles J. Harvey- or Coolidge and Harris, or even Murray and Davidson.

Courtesy Roadside Attractions

Riff Raff is a film that requires the comedy to cut the darkness and yet that darkness is the most compelling element. This makes the way the film ends both work brilliantly and just as likely scratching their head. Maybe there is a director’s cut in the offing that rebalances this into what it obviously wants-and has the potential-to be?

Riff Raff is now playing in theaters.