SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne calls Dito Montiel’s latest “equal parts dark, irreverent, fun and smart” in his Riff Raff film review.
An all-star ensemble cast? Check. An acclaimed author and filmmaker? Check. An accomplished screenwriter? Check. On paper, the John Pollono-written and Dito Montiel-directed pitch-black comedy Riff Raff has all the ingredients for a box office success. Any possible doubts about its execution were quelled at the TIFF premiere.
Starring a legendary cast of Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Coolidge, and Bill Murray, Riff Raff is a quirky and comedic yet dark murder film centered around a dysfunctional extended family and their unexpected New Years reunion.
The film follows former hitman Vince (Ed Harris) who left his criminal past, and former wife Ruth (Jennifer Coolidge) and son Rocco (Lewis Pullman) behind him, starting a new life with his younger and more melanated wife Sandy (Gabrielle Union) and her son BJ (Miles J. Harvey). 20 years later, their quiet New Year’s Eve celebrations are interrupted when Rocco shows up at their country house unannounced with his now pregnant girlfriend Marina (Emanuela Postacchini). Soon we find out the reason for Rocco’s visit, with hitmen Lefty (Bill Murray) and his young hitman apprentice played by Pete Davidson not too far behind.
Montiel is no stranger to directed all-star ensemble casts, having worked on films like A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (Robert Downey Jr., Dianne Wiest, Channing Tatum and Shia LaBeouf), The Son of No One (Channing Tatum, Ray Liotta, Al Pacino, Tracy Morgan and Katie Holmes), and Empire State (Liam Hemsworth, Emma Roberts and Dwayne Johnson), and he does so again masterfully with this film.
As you would expect from this cast, the performances were on point. Although Coolidge plays yet another aloof and hilariously funny character, it never gets old. She easily generates most of the laughs throughout the film with her portrayal of Vince’s chronically unfiltered, drunk and horny ex-wife.
Ed Harris brings a strength and steadiness to the cast, while Bill Murray offers one of his best performances in recent memory. Not to be outdone is Miles J. Harvey who holds his own among this legendary cast as the highly intelligent man-child BJ.
While other films at the Toronto International Film Festival have been plagued by abrupt endings that may leave viewers wanting more, Riff Raff offers a totally unexpected conclusion that gives viewers closure and poses the question, “What is family?”
Overall, Riff Raff is equal parts dark, fun, smart, and irreverent, and among the standouts so far at TIFF 2024.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 300 international voters for the 81st and 82nd Golden Globe Awards by the Golden Globe Foundation and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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