MIFF Monday July 26th

Welcome to the Rileys
2010
Dir: Jake Scott

After losing their 15-year-old daughter in a car accident Doug (James Gandolfini) and Lois (Melissa Leo) Riley's marriage begins splitting at the seams. After four years Lois has confined herself to the house, afraid to venture out, as her husband continues an affair with a waitress at the restaurant he eats waffles at every Thurday night. When the waitress dies suddenly of a heart attack Doug is completely lost but on a trip to New Orleans for a work conference he meets a young stripper, 16-year-old runaway "Mallory" (Kristen Stewart) who will not only change him, but his marriage too.

Welcome to the Rileys, Jake Scott's (son of Ridley) second feature, has a cliche ridden screenplay that's only saving grace is the heartfelt and memorable performances from the entire cast - yes even KStew!

Couple who lose teenage daughter in car accident? Check!
After accident couple drifts apart, with one spouse taking up an extramarital affair? Check!
Troubled teen who resembles deceased daughter enters the couple's lives? Check!

... and the list goes on. There is nothing fresh about this screenplay, written by Ken Hixon, it sticks to a formula and feels flat as a result.

As I mentioned the performances are faultless - Melissa Leo again proves she's a formidable actress (fans of Leo must check her out in the HBO series Treme), Gandolfini, whilst unable to shrug his Tony Soprano character in the minds of many, portrays a heartbroken man without over sentimentalising the character, and Kristen Stewart as the teenage stripper was impressive, although perhaps lacking the attitude the character needed at times. I know KStew is known for her attitude, off the screen that is. On screen her delivery at times is forced and washes her character out; although her stripper outfit - complete with tape over her nipples - certainly garnered a few gasps from the audience. This is definitely a performance from Stewart we haven't seen before, and one that Twilight fans should not see unless they are prepared to see Bella spreading her legs and referring to her nether regions constantly.

There is some emotional pay off from Welcome to the Rileys but again the dull screenplay zaps any connection the audience might make with the characters. As an exploration of relationships the film is satisfying but again does not push the boundaries of the genre and with an uneven tone swaying between comedy and drama it rarely accomplishes either solidly. Watch for the performances but don't rush to see it.

Welcome to the Rileys is screening for the last time at MIFF on Saturday July 31st