Genres

Visitors Review

lewiskendell 2012-05-20 14:36:31

A long way from perfect, but definitely worth seeing.

"I can't come home right now. I know I'm not dead yet."Welcome to the Rileys is certainly a flawed movie. The characters are alittle flat, and don't seem to be written as genuine people, at times.The story scenario, with its focus on lost loved ones and damagedpeople finding healing or comfort in each other, is one that seems tobe in every other movie, recently. And the ending seems a bit rushedand unfinished.But still, I found myself enjoying it all.The key lies in the color and atmosphere added by using New Orleans asthe primary location, and the performances of the three primary castmembers. The first point may appeal only to those who have visited or who livein the city. Filming a movie in New Orleans gives it an instant,appealing flavor to anyone who's been there before, walking past thesame restaurants and down the same streets. Very cool. I'll admit thatthis might not be as big a deal to others as it was to me, though. What everyone should be able to recognize and appreciate, however, arethe great performances by James Gandolfini, Melissa Leo, and KristenStewart. They carry this movie with some really excellent acting, eventhough their characters are slightly hobbled at times with some spottywriting. Especially when it comes to the dynamics of the variousrelationships. Still, the three of them (especially Gandolfini andStewart) easily make Welcome to the Rileys worth at least a rental.

2012-05-20 13:03:13

Welcome to the Rileys

This review is from: Welcome to the Rileys (DVD) Cute movie, do not want to spoil it so I will not say much. It is a very easy movie to like. It is not like anything I had watched before.For people who want to see *Bella* from Twilight, skip it. Bella is NOT in this movie. This a movie that is best to be watched by adults.

2012-05-17 22:39:10

Love It.

I think this is a great movie, a powerful movie and a movie where the actors straight up deliver the goods. Kristen Stewart is wonderful as are Melissa Leo and James Gandolfini. Raw, emotional and heart felt, this movie shows us about loss, forgiveness and the need we have to care and help others. Great movie all around.

classicsoncall 2012-05-17 09:24:25

"No surprises. That's my motto."

I think this picture gets off on the wrong foot with a title like"Welcome to the Rileys". It seems to signal a comedy in the offing, ormaybe I've just been around too long to recall William Bendix in his1950's TV series 'The Life of Riley'. James Gandolfini looks like hecould be a Riley following in the tradition of both Bendix and JackieGleason.But this is no comedy, and even though the picture held my interestwell enough, in the end I couldn't help feeling that the premise felljust short of being pulled off successfully. I could accept the idea ofthe Rileys (Gandolfini and Melissa Leo) living a virtually estrangedlife following the death of their teenage daughter, up to and includingthe wife's agoraphobia. What the picture failed to do however, wasconvince me that Doug Riley would simply walk away from his wife andjob to play guardian angel to the stripper/hooker Allison/Mallory(Kristen Stewart), or that Lois would join the effort with not muchmore than an initial shocked reaction to Mallory's occupation andliving quarters. This needed a lot more development to make thathumanitarian leap of faith, and I for one found it creepy that anyonewould actually lie down on anything in Mallory's apartment.I thought there was the germ of a good idea planted in the story withLois' agonizing over her daughter's death, thinking that she might havebeen responsible for it by following her on that fateful night. DidDoug know it happened that way? The hint is offered, Mallory takes thatball and runs with it, but because Doug isn't biting we never get tofind out. That element might have added another intriguing layer to theRiley marital saga.So were you expecting Mallory to head off to Indianapolis? I thoughtabout it, but that's as far as I got. This wouldn't have been thepicture to have that kind of happy ending. Having the Rileys achievesome measure of reconciliation was believable, leaving just enoughwiggle room to provide a safety valve for Mallory if she ever neededit. But when all is said and done, I don't think she would ever be thatkind of girl.

2012-05-11 16:28:02

MARVELOUS FILM

This review is from: Welcome to the Rileys (DVD) ALL THE PERFORMANCES IN THIS FILM ARE QUITE GOOD WITH KRISTEN STEWART TURNING IN THE MOST SUPRISING ONE. SHE WAS VERY GOOD CATCHING THE SELF DESTRUCTIVENESS OF HER CHARACTER AND ALL THE BUILT IN DEFENSE MECHANISMS THAT WOULD KEEP HER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF NORMALITY. SHE IS RESURRECTED WITH THE HELP OF THE MARRIED COUPLE WHO IN THE PROCESS HELP THEMSELVES OUT OF THEIR OWN RUT. JAKE SCOTT WHO I ASSUME IS RELATED TO RIDLEY AND TONY HAS SOME REAL TALENT HERE. GOOD ALL AROUND MOVIE MAKING SKILLS

Jizdenky 2012-05-11 05:41:24

"I can't come home right now. I know I'm not dead yet".

Jake Scott's 'Welcome to the Rileys' tells a moving human story aboutthree people lost in their own misery. In the beginning it looks likejust another grief flick with a breaking marriage but this is a wrongassumption because 'Welcome to the Rileys' is far from typical. Whatsets this one apart are the marvelous performances of its three leadsand Ken Hixon's terrific screenplay.Not to undermine Scott's direction as he does quite an impressive jobtoo. The New Orleans setting is quite refreshing and pleasing to lookat. His attention to detail is quite noticeable and his subtle approachin presentation and humour is very effective. The director's job ismade easier by his talented cast. He wisely lets his actors carry thefilm.The story of 'Welcome to the Rileys' is told through interactions andthis wouldn't have worked if it starred lesser actors. James Gandolfiniwonderfully downplays his part. His Doug Riley is almost the completeopposite of Gandolfini's iconic Tony Soprano and the actor shows nodifficulty in playing the part. Melissa Leo effortlessly plays her partand she does it with full conviction. She pairs up very well withGandolfini and they're very believable as a married couple. KirstenStewart surprisingly holds her own. Notwithstanding her poorperformances in previous films, she proves that she can actually actfor a good director.Many seem to be disappointed by the ending as they felt the conclusionwas much ado about nothing. However, I felt it was the right ending, anending that reflected hope for the three principle characters (withoutthe using clichés). 'Welcome to the Rileys' is definitely worth seeing.

La_Traidora 2012-05-07 01:43:15

An OK film with decent performances

It's an OK movie about damaged people. I'm a total suck-up when itcomes to slow-paced moody indie dramas but this one fell short of whatI expected.Whatever I said against Kristen Stewart before, I'm taking it back. Shewasn't great but she was good playing a damaged stripper/prostitute. Atleast she wasn't pretending to be a good actor in this movie like whatshe did in The Runaways because I think she was all natural in this oneand not so uptight and frozen. Just nice to see her breakaway from herTwilight spotlight. This is the only time I kinda liked herperformance..Melissa Leo played Lois Riley who had to endure the pain of self-regretfrom the loss of a daughter. Like her Frozen River performance, she wassubdued in this movie but I wasn't impressed this time.James Gandolfini played a very affable fatherly character to Alison(stewart). He was good but not consistent all throughout.

Alessa Gonato 2012-05-06 11:23:00

It's for the family to watch.

Well i have seen drama movies for quite awhile now. "Welcome to theRiley's" has a wonderful storyline which caught my eye.It is about a family who lost their only daughter, healing theirhearts, they found a girl without a family and who they think needstheir help. It's a heartwarming family drama but what i did not likeabout it is how it evolves as a story. For me it was like i'm going togive you all the money that you need just let me be a parent to you,live with you, fixing your house,buy you all you need. . . I expectedit to be more dramatic, more of a family, more acceptance as a family.I still want to recommend this movie for the whole family to watch,maybe on a cold December day.

2012-05-06 07:20:08

The Loss of a Child: Aftermath, Consequences, and Coping

WELCOME TO THE RILEYS is a little sign on the garage doors of Doug and Lois Riley in Indianapolis, Indiana. It also serves as the title of this fine little film written by Ken Hixon and directed by Jake Scott that examines how the loss of a 15-year-old daughter Emily in an automobile accident has resulted in the crumbling of the parent's marriage and relationship. Doug (James Gandolfini) has an affair with younger waitress Vivian (Eisa Davis) while Lois (Melissa Leo) becomes so isolated in her agoraphobic state and psychotropic mediations that she is no longer available to Doug. A crisis occurs when Vivian dies in cardiac arrest and in Doug's honest grief he visits her grave only to find that Lois has unilaterally purchased a headstone with Doug's and Lois' names on it beside the grave of their departed Emily, a fact that enrages Doug.Doug goes to New Orleans on a convention and there encounters stripper/prostitute Mallory (Kristen Stewart), a 16 year old unkempt, foul mouthed runaway from Florida: Mallory sees the kind Doug as a john but Doug's interest is in her plight, not her business offerings. Doug obviously responds to Mallory as though she were his lost daughter, moving into her filthy apartment, trying to improve her view of life. Doug phones Lois that he is going to stay in New Orleans a while, a message that gives Lois the courage to actually leave her home and drive to New Orleans: during Lois' somewhat comedic trip she stops for food and a strange man comes on to her - something that awakens her self esteem before she reaches New Orleans. Once Lois arrives at her destination she is proud of overcoming her agoraphobia and Doug is happy to see the healing Lois. Together they stay with Mallory, facing the fact that for both of them Mallory represents the chance to restore their love for the daughter they've lost. How the three cope is the remaining of the film.The three leads offer polished performances - some of the finest work we have seen from both Gandolfini and Leo who together make this film better than the sum of its parts. Kristen Stewart immerses herself in Mallory and though she still remains a rather monochromatic actress, this role offers her the ability to stretch her acting chops: she is convincing as the victim of the dregs of society and makes us care about a character who seems to have few redeeming qualities. This trio of actors plays well as a small ensemble and the result is a film that has been far too overlooked by the general public. Recommended. Grady Harp, February 11

marc g 2012-05-05 20:14:38

Great performances

Melissa Leo, Kristen Stewart and James Gandolfini were all superb. the plot was a bit far fetched but i really enjoyed the understated acting. Not for those who like action movies

2012-04-28 00:48:12

not perfect, but solid performances and that New Orleans backdrop make for a rather good movie

Welcome to The Rileys drew me in more and more as the movie progressed; at first I thought it was a bit too slow but when the pace picked up with the backdrop of New Orleans I was rather impressed by what it had to say. The casting couldn't have been better; Melissa Leo gives an outstanding performance as a guilty housewife punishing herself for a long-ago car accident that took her daughter's life; and James Gandolfini turns in a masterful performance as her husband Doug who just can't seem to get past his grief and personal demons. The choreography and the cinematography enhance the movie and the musical score does a great job of making the film even better, too. Lois Riley (Melissa Leo) and her husband Doug (James Gandolfini) are still most unhappy even though it's been eight years since the death of their daughter in a car accident. Lois hasn't left the house since the car accident; indeed, Lois has been so depressed that she already has headstones for her and Doug next to their late daughter's grave, a fact that gives Doug the creeps. Doug also has a long standing affair with a waitress named Vivian (Eisa Davis). However, when Vivian suddenly dies of a heart attack Doug is very upset and sadder still; and he suffers in silence because he doesn't know that Lois knew about him and Vivian for quite some while already.Doug goes to a business convention in New Orleans; and being still upset about Vivian's death (he had wanted to take her there for her birthday) and also feeling out of place in a city very different from where he lives with his wife, Doug leaves the convention early one day and wanders into a strip joint where he meets an underage call girl who goes by several different names including Mallory (Kristen Stewart of "Twilight" fame). Doug and Mallory begin a most unconventional relationship; she reminds Doug of his daughter. So, what does Doug do? He phones Lois to tell her he's staying in New Orleans indefinitely without giving Lois any reason; he moves in with Mallory paying her $100 a day to stay with her in her very rundown apartment in a home that was abandoned after Hurricane Katrina and Doug tries desperately to get Mallory to grow up with a combination of love and confrontation that Mallory needs. Meanwhile, Lois decides to finally leave their home after nearly eight years of staying indoors--she's determined to drive to New Orleans and find Doug there by calling him on his cell phone. Of course, the rest of what transpires gives us a very solid story line and some fine entertainment. I could tell you more; but there won't be any spoilers here even though it may seem like I've told you much too much already! Suffice it to say the rest of the plot should hold your attention very well. In addition, look for very good performances by Tiffany Coty as Tara and Lance E. Nichols in an all-too-brief appearance as Hamilton 'Ham' Watkins, another businessman at the convention. The DVD also comes with an extra about the making of the film.I recommend this film for anyone interested in gritty family drama or drama in general; and of course fans of the actors in this movie would do well to add this to their collections.

Yahoo user 2012-04-27 13:42:40

welcome to an awful movie

I truly believe this movie would have had some chance at being something better had the role of Mallory been played by an actress who could hold her own with the likes of James Gandolfini & Melissa Leo. But the fact is, Kristen Stewart's proformance is, like every other role she has been in, lacking. While James and Melissa both gave a good proformance, James had to carry every scene that he and Kristen were in! It might be worth a Dvd rental if you want to see the Twilight starlet playing herself i.e Foul mouthed, frowning and the ever-present hair flipping. My opinion, Welcome to the Riley's wasn't very welcoming at all!

Joe Wiley 2012-04-26 13:18:03

great performances, great backdrop, worth seeing

james gandolfini and melissa leo portray a long time married couple whose loving marriage is put on the back burner by a trajedy. Through their own personal mistakes and triumphs, they'll try and overcome obstacles to rekindle their dormant marriage and obvious love for one another. gandolfini and leo give brilliant and convincing performances, that along with the new orleans backdrop make this movie worth while to see. this movie is shockingly real to life in an unrealized way.

priyantha-bandara 2012-04-25 16:22:38

A heartfelt movie

Doug Riley is a plumbing supplies contractor from Indianapolis wholives with his wife Lois and reaching their 30th wedding anniversary.After they lost their 15 year old daughter in a tragic car accident thecouple has grown distant with no exchange of intimate relationship andspoken barely few words a day. It seems like Doug and Lois both misstheir lives inside yet don't know where to begin in finding it again.Meanwhile Doug finds comfort in a black waitress yet that relationshipdoesn't last long either even though it brings some kind of a peace into Doug's life. Lost and torn this couple seems to be just living theirdays for nothing.Doug goes to New Orleans for a convention and there he unexpectedlymeets a 16 year old girl Mallory who is a stripper. Rather than takingadvantage of her with her own consent Doug see someone else in her andstarts to emotionally care for her. He somehow makes in an ambition totake this teenage girl out of her miserable life and give her somecomfort and long lost fatherhood. But this task become difficult by theday as Mallory resist to change or to accept Doug's generosity eventhough she know his genuine motives.'Welcome to the Riley's' is a heartfelt drama. Most of the moments aresilent and filled with self perseverance but the script graduallybuilds up a solid story line. It's not boring even though it's a littleslow which almost all dramas are. But there is something special aboutthis one. This one is about self retribution. Don't know if it'stotally correct to describe it that way but I feel like Doug is tryingto find peace in his heart by dedicating his effort to make a somethinggood for Mallory. The society is a wicked place to be good some timeswhich the script proves over and over. The harsh words coming out ofMallory's mouth must have pierced Doug's heart one too many times. Yethe patiently set on his path which maybe his experience in life hastough him to do so.Acting wise the movie is mention worthy. Doug played by JamesGandolfini is a role skillfully done. And at the same time Melissa Leoeffectively plays Lois the depressed, grieving mother who hasn't setfoot out of the house for months. And finally the Twilight famedKristen Stewart portraying the damaged and arrogant stripper girl makeus forget her glamorous lead role in the romantic vampire franchisewith her performance in 'Welcome to the Riley's'.As a viewer you will be made to judge these characters. You will beasked to decide if what they do is right or wrong or if they did reallysucceeded in their roles at the end. Even thought it has no fairy taleending this movie will live in your minds for a long time.read more of my reviews at flickshout.blogspot.com

Jason Riley 2012-04-23 10:45:08

Just an excuse to stick Kristen Stewart in skimpy underwear

I picked this movie because I loved the Sopranos, and was interested inseeing Gandolfini in another role.I didn't even notice Stewart on the cover, but upon clicking the playbutton instantly recognized her as the Twilight 'princess'. But creditwhere it's due; She (Stewart) delivered a much more compellingperformance than Gandolfini who simply regurgitated a slightly calmerTony Soprano, right down to Tony's repetitious "alright just calmdown." Anyway, though Stewart was more enigmatic than Gandolfini, theentire movie was quite slow, and didn't really build to any big finaleor contain any real plot twists. It was a straight-forward,run-of-the-mill dysfunctional family movie, and I should've left it onthe shelf.Most of the movie - of course - finds Princess Bella stomping around inher underwear, and I can't help but feel that was the only gimmick in aone-trick-pony of a film.It was watchable, but not memorable, just like an ocean of othermediocrities caught on film nowadays.If you want a hot, messed-up girl movie, Black Swan (Natalie Portman)dwarfs this garbage: Grab that instead.3/10

Hellmant 2012-04-22 19:41:51

Nice little indie drama that gives some good actors some nice material to play around with.

'WELCOME TO THE RILEYS': Three Stars (Out of Five) James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart and Melissa Leo star in this indiefilm about a man who forms a special bond with a young stripper /hooker after losing his daughter at the same age. It's directed by JakeScott (who's prior experience is mainly in music videos) and written byKen Hixon (who also wrote 'INVENTING THE ABBOTTS' and 'CITY BY THESEA'). The film premiered at last year's Sundance Film Festival and hasreceived mostly positive reviews from critics. It marks a nice notableacting turn from Stewart, who plays a role quite different then anyother she's done before.Gandolfini plays Doug and Leo plays Lois Riley, an unhappy marriedcouple that have been troubled with depression for years after losingtheir fifteen year old daughter Emily. Lois hasn't left their homesince their daughter's death and Doug, in a need for attention, hasbeen having an affair with a local waitress. One day on a business tripto New Orleans Doug meets a sixteen year old runaway girl named Mallory(Stewart) working as a stripper at a strip club there. She reminds himvery much of his daughter and after turning her down for a lap dance heinstead escorts her home. The next day Doug offers to pay Mallory ahundred dollars a day to stay with her at her house. He begins fixingup the home and taking care of Mallory, almost pretending that she'shis daughter. After calling his wife to tell her he's not coming homeLois decides she must, for the first time in years, venture out of herhouse and travel to New Orleans to save her marriage.The movie is a little clichéd and sugarcoated but there's also a lot ofdark and ugly notes in the film as well and it manages to strike aneven balance. The acting and directing is decent enough that the setupseems believable and you really learn to care for the characters.Gandolfini is good and lovable like always and Leo turns in anotherimpressive performance and continues to show her range. It's Stewartthat really shines in the film though and silences her critics bycontinuing to broaden her range as well (as she did with 'THERUNAWAYS'). The film is emotional and rewarding to a certain extent.Nothing too powerful or memorable but a nice little indie drama thatgives some good actors some nice material to play around with. Worthseeing if you're into that sort of thing.Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF5zRynRifs

filmbiz 2012-04-20 17:30:02

Unbelievable hogwash

Was extremely excited to see this film after reading the glowing reviews but after seeing this one for myself it is hard to figure what movie these folks were watching. Totally unbelievable set of situations, one after the other. What ... A ... Fairytale. And that closing scene is an unintended laugher. All cleaned up and ready to roll, after having the s**t kicked out of her two weeks before. Even the film duration raccoon-like eye make up is magically history for that closing scene. This was hardly a straight to video piece and will undoubtedly be there shortly. Just a painful waste of time.

2012-04-19 23:54:36

We need to separate the art from the performers

WTTR is a disjointed investigation of loss and guilt, I think. Good premise but huge gaps in logic (why do long-ago car crashes cause these people to do these outlandish things). "Mallory's" motivations are especially unclear.We know and like these actors. But Stewart does not yet have the training or gravitas to pull this off. Her trademark jaw dislocations and rapid-fire pile-ups in delivery make me think of Bella. Gando struggles with an Indiana accent (and this isn't it). Leo's character (and the two have been together since grade school) mysteriously has no accent. What? Why bother?I applaud grown-up flicks like this but this one is too thin and not well thought through. Soundtrack was good.

Ligia 2012-04-14 15:26:59

A traditional family?

It so refreshing to find a film that involves a family and does not revolve around the hypocritic fanily American values. I loved thi film and I join other critics praising Gandolfini's performance, but I also believe tha Leo and Stewar were superb. The story is fantastic both real and yet optimistic.

pkan4eva 2012-04-14 03:54:19

change the director

When watching the movie I had the feeling the groundbreaking climax isa short seconds away. Well, guess what, it never came. I really likedthe main characters but it seemed they showed only 40% of the emotionsthey had to. Given all the trauma they have been through, I newer sawpain or bitterness or even joy. Stewart's wasn't very believable as a prostitute. Playing a junkiewould have been much more suitable for her performance. Mellisa Leo'scameo lacked the necessary emotional radiance. Imagine staying insideyour house for almost a decade and the moment your husband calls, youtake a 900 miles trip to see him. No emotions, no dwelling, no doubt.Exactly the opposite- rational behavior. Gandolfini cant really do manymistakes with the role. He is the most believable character but stillfails to make a point. I don't understand how this film received such a high rating. It couldhave been a great movie but without the slow action and bits ofinformation with which we have to deal.