Reviewed by Alicia Glass
Director: Jake Scott
Studio: Argonaut Pictures
MPAA Rating: R
Review Rating: 8 Bleeped Cursewords
Damaged businessman Doug, ignored by his estranged wife after a tragic death in their family, runs away on a business trip to try and restore another damaged and lost soul in New Orleans.
It’s actually a very good movie, clearly demonstrating the lengths broken people will go to, to simply give up, lie down and die, only to be saved by apparently the last caring person on earth. Of course, the simple storyline is only enhanced by the fact that two major name stars are occupying those roles: James Gandolfini of The Sopranos fame, and Kristen Stewart of the Twilight series. Whereas we’re treated to Doug (Gandolfini) in suits and downtrodden expressions; Mallory, if that is her real name, is a foul mouthed street hustling “dancer”. It’s interesting to see the lovely Stewart, after remembering her as the lovey-dovey Bella, trussed up in fishnets and nipple-tape, and every other word that pops out of her mouth is a curse.
Most every painstakingly up close moment of confrontation is leavened with the pause for a breathy laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. Doug is in town for some mindlessly boring convention, and just decides bah, to up and walk out on all of it. After a lapdance that wasn’t and a numb recitation of the other services Mallory offers, only to be ordered out when Doug decides he doesn’t want anything, Doug and Mallory meet up again later a little too coincidentally at some coffee house and form an unlikely friendship. Doug, obviously missing his child that died, tries his best to take care of Mallory and gets nothing but heartache and trashmouth for his trouble. And then of course, as things are going from bad to worse, Doug’s wife decides she really can overcome agoraphobia and hies herself to New Orleans to find her wayward husband.
Surprisingly, the movie does end on a somewhat pleasant, if not closure-type, note. Doug and his wife Lois manage to reconcile, and they both come across with the simple idea that it’s never too late, very well. And Doug and Mallory come to a reconciliation of sorts, in a manner that befits reality instead of your standard Hollywood fade into the sunset. Welcome to the Rileys gets a score of 8 Bleeped Cursewords.
And check out the trailer
Tags: argonaut pictures, jake scott, james gandolfini, kristen stewart, san diego film festival 2010, the sopranos, twilight, welcome to the rileys
