USA 2024
Opening March 27, 2025

Directed by: Dito Montiel
Writing credits: John Pollono
Principal actors: Bill Murray, Ed Harris, Jennifer Coolidge, Emanuela Postacchini, Lewis Pullman, Gabrielle Union, Pete Davidson

Far from being a “once upon a time” flick instead, and despite itself, American director Dito Montiel’s film barely rises above its title. Riffraff are undesirable, disreputable types of people most avoid, and definitely not the type anyone wants in their family circle. Case in point, Lefty (Bill Murray), the embodiment of this type of society’s lower denomination, and a totally trigger-happy amoral aging scumbag deadest on making amends for the conversation he had with son Johnnie (Michael Covino). Of Lonnie (Pete Davidson), his kick-about irrational accomplice, who clearly likes ziti pasta, especially Ruth’s, he accommodates Lefty’s commands. With him at the wheel, and the map on Lefty’s lap they head to Maine for the big event.

The flip side is Lefty’s onetime associate Vincent (Ed Harris) who chose to change his life, if not his destiny. Solidly married to Sandy (Gabrielle Union) with a teenage son on the cusp of leaving home, DJ (Miles J. Harvey) is feeling forlorn with girl-troubles this New Year’s Eve. Imagine their surprise when Vince’s first family show-up. Ruth (Jennifer Coolidge), colorfully dribbling insults and profanity, and bursting out of her plunging top and miniskirt is not above helping herself to what she likes in life. Their son Rocco (Lewis Pullman) is a chip off the old block and his Marina (Emanuela Postacchini) bulges with their ready-to-pop-out baby. Vince almost buys Rocco’s story, but then after taking it within its context, is dismissive having, alas, forgotten their neighbors (Sage Spielman, P.J. Byrne).

Far from being a raucous laugh-out-loud film, and despite the super-talented ensemble, Riff Raff flounders under the weight of John Pollono’s insubstantial, spiritless screenplay. Too often the cast is caught in cursory quips and/or seemingly unthought out verbal exchanges or awkward pauses in out-of-sync timing. Nevertheless, Murray’s deadpan, Coolidge’s over-the-top, Harris’ timing, and Pullman and Davidson’s lidded nastiness charge and challenge its dialogue; scenes with the neighbors and country market proprietor Scott Michael Campbell are rib-tickling black comedy. “Anyway, it’s amazing what families are willing to do for one another.” Just ask the riffraff. 103 minutes (Marinell H.)