Dito Montiel’s Quirky Crime Comedy: Warring Clans Unleash Chaos and Humor

‘Riff Raff’: A Crime Comedy With Unexpected Depth

In a landscape saturated with crime dramas, “Riff Raff,” released on Feb. 28, offers a refreshing twist. Directed by Dito Montiel, this R-rated film for some strong violence, pervasive language, sexual content/nudity and some drug use, eschews the typical heist narrative in favor of a character-driven exploration of family dynamics under extreme pressure. Running for 1 hour, 43 minutes, the movie intricately weaves together the stories of three clashing families as they navigate a perilous New Year’s Eve.

A Dysfunctional Family Tree

At the heart of “Riff Raff” is Vincent (ed Harris), an ex-hitman with a complicated past. He’s fathered two distinct families: the first with the “bawdy Ruth (Jennifer Coolidge)” and their “loser son Rocco (lewis Pullman),” and the second with his “prim younger wife, Sandy (Gabrielle Union),” and their “sheltered teenager D.J. (Miles J. Harvey).” The film ignites when Ruth, Rocco, and Rocco’s pregnant girlfriend, Marina (Emanuela Postacchini), seek refuge at vincent’s vacation cabin, fleeing Vincent’s former partner, Leftie (Bill Murray), along with his sidekick lenny (Pete Davidson).

“Blood is priceless,” but in “Riff Raff,” the family ties seem more like a liability than a bond. The script, penned by John Pollono, excels at blending comedy, tension, and thematic depth, dividing the characters along lines of naiveté. Rocco and D.J., despite sharing a father, seem to have been raised on different planets, highlighting the contrasting paths their lives have taken.

Brains and Heart in a Gonzo Genre Flick

Despite some graphic violence, “Riff Raff” convincingly demonstrates both brains and heart. The initial interactions between the estranged relatives allow the film to explore their individual complexities, with a flashback detailing Rocco’s courtship of Marina revealing surprising empathy in the disheveled gangster.

Montiel’s “insistence on humanity” elevates the film beyond it’s genre trappings. Postacchini’s performance ensures that her character,Marina,earns her place in the narrative,radiating a light that dims when she attempts to evade danger.

Ticking Time Bomb and eerie Musical Saw

As Leftie and Lenny journey to the cabin, the score intensifies, creating a sense of impending doom. Murray delivers a solid performance, maximizing the dispassion in Leftie’s eyes, while he and Davidson share a wonderfully shaggy dynamic, muttering jokes under their breath, Davidson even gets a giggle with the line “Nice ziti.” Their road-trip subplot, while somewhat detached from the main action, provides moments of dark humor, notably in their encounter with unsuspecting suburbanites.

Missed Opportunities and Uneven Tones

The film faces some challenges in balancing its tone. Union and harvey, particularly, seem out of sync with the heightened reality of the story. Harvey’s character, D.J., struggles to make a believable transition from sheltered college student to someone confronting life-or-death stakes. The film briefly taps into his potential as a caricature, such as in a “pitch-perfect” scene where he whines about the BBQ grill amid serious discussion.

Daddy Redos and Sibling Resentment

Underneath the surface violence and dark humor,”Riff raff” explores emotionally complex themes of “daddy redos and sibling resentment.” victor’s transformation from a louse to a seemingly decent man raises questions about the possibility of genuine change. However, the script struggles to convince the audience of his happy marriage to Sandy.

The narrative hinges on the audience believing in Victor’s evolution, but the film struggles to reconcile his past with his present. When rocco is told that he’s just like his pops, we can’t quite see it. Rocco argues that he’s teaching himself to be Victor’s opposite. Poised to be a dad himself, he’s roiling with lava-like anger at his childhood neglect.

Ruth’s Noxiousness From Comic to Pitiful

Coolidge’s portrayal of Ruth initially comes across as a caricature, and the character repellent even to her family, who refuses to warm to her even when she tries to win their sympathy with an awkward monologue about how her own father trained her to settle for slop. Though, Montiel smartly takes “Ruth’s noxiousness from comic to pitiful,” highlighting her awareness of her outsider status.

Final Thoughts

“Riff Raff” ultimately reveals itself to be smarter than it initially appears, hinting at the complexity of our expectations of rooting for flawed antiheroes, especially ones played with the craggy gravitas of Ed Harris.

If you’re looking for a crime comedy with a heart and a willingness to delve into uncomfortable family dynamics, “Riff Raff” might just surprise you. Check local listings for availability.

How does *Riff Raff* subvert genre norms within the crime comedy genre?

Riff Raff: A Conversation with Director Dito Montiel

Archyde News recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Dito Montiel about his latest film, Riff Raff, a crime comedy that dives deep into family dynamics. Here’s what Montiel had to say about his unique take on the genre.

Navigating Familial turmoil

Archyde: Your new film, Riff Raff, explores complex family dynamics under extreme pressure. What inspired you to take this approach within the crime comedy genre?

Dito Montiel: I’ve always been interested in exploring the complexities of family relationships, and I wanted to do something different within the crime comedy genre. Rather of focusing on a heist or a crime, I wanted to focus on the characters and their relationships. The New Year’s Eve setting provides the perfect pressure cooker for these dynamics to play out.

Character-Driven Storytelling

Archyde: The film is filled with memorable characters, from ed Harris’ Vincent to Jennifer Coolidge’s Ruth.How did you approach balancing comedy, tension, and thematic depth in developing these characters?

Dito Montiel: It was important for me to ensure that each character had their own unique voice and arc. I worked closely with the cast to develop these characters,and we focused on making them feel authentic and relatable,even within the heightened reality of the story. The blend of comedy and tension comes from the characters’ interactions and the situations they find themselves in.

Humanizing the Antihero

Archyde: Ed Harris delivers a powerful performance as Vincent, a man trying to reckon with his past. what can audiences take away from Vincent’s journey?

Dito Montiel: Vincent is an antihero, and audiences will likely have complex feelings about him. His journey explores the possibility of redemption and whether people can truly change. I hope audiences will reflect on their own experiences and consider their own capacity for change and growth.

Unexpected depth and Emotion

Archyde: Despite some graphic violence and dark humor, riff Raff manages to mining surprising emotional depth. How were you able to strike this balance and create a film that feels both funny and surprisingly poignant?

Dito Montiel: I think it’s important to approach even the darkest moments with honesty and humanity. By focusing on the characters and their relationships, we’re able to find moments of genuine emotion and connection amidst the chaos. I also believe that laughter and tears are not mutually exclusive, and that a film can be both funny and emotionally resonant.

Final Thoughts and Future Projects

Archyde: What do you hope audiences will take away from Riff Raff, and what upcoming projects are you most excited about?

Dito Montiel: I hope audiences will be surprised by the depth and emotional resonance of Riff Raff. It’s a film that challenges expectations and subverts genre norms, and I think audiences will appreciate that. As for future projects, I’m currently working on a drama about a family dealing with the opioid crisis, which I’m excited to bring to screens in the near future.