Synopsis
Set in a remote social for the holiday season, Riff Raff is a dramedy flix that touches on the themes of family dysfunction, redemption, and the brace of one’s past. The movie opens with a seemingly quiet retreat for Vincent Gauthier, a criminal turned “reformed” sociopath, as he attempts to live a criminal-free, quiet life. He is accompanied by his new wife Sandy and her teenage son DJ, who serves as the narrator for the movie.
To the surprise of no one in the audience, the couple’s plans for a peaceful Christmas go to shambles with the arrival of ex-wife Ruth, who comes accompanied by their son Rocco and his pregnant girlfriend, Marina. Rocco and Marina’s arrival is nothing short of explosive as the couple is on the run after a violent altercation left one man dead, ex-boyfriend Marina, who was in the process of threatening her safety.
As family tensions boil over in the cabin, Vincent has no choice but to face the skeletons he tried so hard to hide. To make matters worse, gangsters from Vincent’s criminal past, Leftie and Lonnie, track Rocco and Marina to the cabin. What ensues is a disturbingly funny, chaotic, and sometimes violent series of events where the divided family comes together to deal with the consequences of enduring repeated past traumas, new betrayals, and the battle to survive.
Flashbacks reveal the story, and the emotional insights of DJ’s voice-over deepens the narrative. In the film’s explosive final moments, the audience is shown the shameful and violent secrets hidden in the lives of the parents, which in turn reveals the explosive identity secrets the parents carried about the child. Not every character lives through the night, but the survivors have to grapple with the emotional turmoil and the fragile peace forged through shared hardship.
Cast & Characters
Ed Harris plays the role of Vincent Gauthier, an aging and clean-living patriarch and ex-criminal, who is forced to confront his violent past when his blended family collides.
Jennifer Coolidge, as Ruth, ex-wife to Vincent, brings forth a blend of physical and emotional vulnerability to a character who is comic relief while serving as the emotional ballast to the story. Her arrival gets the plot moving and brings μαζί unresolved emotions.
Gabrielle Union portrays Sandy, who is Vincent’s wife. While trying to hold her family together, she is forced to navigate a world she never truly understood.
Pullman portrays Rocco, Vincent and Ruth’s son. His impulsive actions coupled with his protective nature spells disaster.
Emanuela Postacchini plays the part of Marina, Rocco’s pregnant girlfriend. Her trauma and vulnerability is a large part of the story’s emotional core.
Sandy’s teenage son DJ is played by Miles J. Harvey. He is a quiet yet vital figure who, alongside his narration and perspective, helps to weave the story throughout the film.
Vincent’s past criminals, Leftie and Lonnie, are played by Bill Murray and Pete Davidson. Their characters add dark humor and danger, which is a common theme throughout the film.
Themes & Structure
Riff Raff blends genres—part dysfunctional family drama, part crime thriller, part dark comedy. The themes are primarily centered around the family and the connections that bind them, alongside the past, which is a core element to the narrative.
DJ’s voiceover guides viewers through the story, offering a modern lens to examine a classic narrative. It is as if the story was written in a book, captivating the audience through imagery and motivation.
In contrast to the holidays which are generally linked to joy, togetherness, and warmth, the holiday themed story presents a snow-covered cabin that serves as a boiling pot of tensions, secrets, and violence. The story’s unsettling tone is underlined by the contrast between the chaotic emotions and festive setting.
Visual and Technical Aspects
The film’s camera work captures the characters beauty and the chilly demeanor that characterizes their interactions. The lighting in the film is also characteristically dim, a reflection of the the story’s emotions. The score blends tension and emotional highlights, while also being subtle, supporting the story without being obtrusive.
The pacing of the film is unevenly calm, with chaotic bursts that punctuate the calm, a reflection of the family’s dynamic as well as the menacing threat of the outside criminal elements.
Critical Review
The film received a mixed reception. The ensemble cast was well received, and so was Ruth’s character played by Jennifer Coolidge. As for Ruth’s character, her rendition was nuanced as she oscillated between tragic and comedic. Quiet strength and importance in the role of Vincent earned Ed Harris praise as well.
Some critics, however, did not receive the film as positively. It was said the tone was inconsistent and that the film unsuccessfully fused suspense, emotional drama, and comedy. It was said that some plot developments were abrupt and unexplained, primarily in the final act.
Though emotionally significant, DJ’s character is understudied and therefore underused, leading to a lack of resolution for some audiences while being perceived as poignant for others.
Strengths
Notable winning performances, especially from Ed Harris and Jennifer Coolidge.
Cinematography complements and enhances the tone of the film.
Well-developed and layered characters with relatable, emotionally driven stakes.
Holidays meet family gathering and crime thriller: a wholly unique setting.
Weaknesses
Disjointed tone: the film struggles with uneven transitions between drama and comedy.
Shifts in the flow of the film, particularly in the middle segment, lead to pacing issues.
Sandy’s emotional arc and DJ’s internal conflict remain underdeveloped as secondary story elements.
Important relationship dynamics receive a limited runtime, leading to some conclusions being reached too swiftly.
Final take:
An ambitious foray into the family drama and crime thriller subgenres, Riff Raff is driven by genuine emotional moments and an impressive cast, even if a precise balance between the humor and darkness of the tension relies on these elements.
The movie exposes how the past can weigh down on the present and how families, be it blood-related or not, can heal and break apart in unanticipated manners. The film’s Riff Raff, which is character driven and set in the context of crime, is powerful enough to leave an impact, even when it succumbs to clichés and provides no closure to plot lines. It is, however, a different film from what it could have been. For the audience willing to delve deeper into the film’s narrative, Riff Raff provides a compelling viewing.
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