We are very happy to share two amazing WTTR reviews with you, written by two of our (Swiss) readers. We'd like to thank them both for writing their impressions down and sharing them with us :)
Ok, since the lovely @AdorableKStew stood me up when we were supposed to go watch „Welcome To The Rileys“ together, she asked me to write a review for her blog. :)
Directed by Jake Scott (son of Ridley Scott), 'Welcome to the Riley's' tells the story of Doug (played by James Gandolfini) who lives at home with his depressed wife Lois (Melissa Leo) who hasn't left the house in several years. Both struggle with the loss of their teenage daughter who was killed in a car accident. One day on a business trip, Doug runs into Mallory (Kristen Stewart), an underage stripper and prostitute who is troubled and lost. He starts taking care of her and slowly starts to find his way back into life.
The movie is slow at the beginning to show the audience how dull the life of Lois and Doug has become after the death of their daughter. They both seem to have died with her. As soon as he runs into Mallory, the movie picks up speed and grabs you. This is also due to Kristens stellar performance. She is soo realistic, switches without effort from a tough, swearing stripper/prostitute to the scared and vulnerable little girl who craves affection and a safe haven. Those are the parts that I loved best. To see Mallory ask Doug to please not be mad at her and trying to get some comforting and fatherly human contact from him is both thrilling and heart-breaking. You just want to hug her and tell her that everything will be alright. The chemistry between her and Gandolfini is amazing! They play off another perfectly. It’s truely a joy to watch them interact. Leo’s performance was also Oscar-worthy and, although she was a somber, depressed and troubled woman, she was responsible for some comic relief in the movie. The scene when she tries to drive a car after many years is simply hilarious. :)
I also loved the fact that the director and the screenwriter chose an ending that was subtle and realistic.
To sum it up „Welcome To The Rileys“ is a strongly character-driven movie with amazing performances, a good direction and a decent storyline. A must see for all who appreciate great acting and a realistic dramatic film.
James Gandolfini: I liked his acting, I really did. His character found in this parentless young girl his fatherfeelings back. He’s been cheating his wife for years and after the death of Viviane (his affair) and his trip to New Orleans he can be himself again, since the death of his daughter. In the scene where he’s searching his wife in New Orleans, Doug Riley looked so lovely and happy about the step his wife Lois did. James gives Doug this important passion about caring and loving his family.
Kristen Stewart: Wow, just wow! She grew up in this or with this movie! Her role Mallory had a hard character, but Kristen got the talent to give Mallory a soul and some good emotions. In the beginning of Doug’s New Orleans trip, when he met her, I was shocked, really. The beautiful Bella actress spoke with lots of f*** words and her vocabulary was really bad, but Kristen’s acting was great! She deserved a Oscar nomination. I loved her!
Melissa Leo: She’s got the talent to act with herself in the first part of the movie. I liked the scene Lois drove to New Orleans and got panic attacs etc. Her acting in the garage was also great! I liked her mimic, she’s like frozen and looks stonily. The whole attitude with her hair and the clothes in the beginning, then in New Orleans her hair was changed and she was alive again. With Mallory she started to be a mom again, like in the scene in the bathroom or in the clothes store, I liked it. Lois was over 9 years in a deep depression and with Doug’s trip to New Orleans she could escape from the dark and save her marriage.
The movie: I liked the long filmed scene, the motion picture could release its emotions and feelings. And the soundtrack was the final touch.
Conclusion: It was a great independent movie and I already ordered it on DVD.
Thank you both, again, for writing those two reviews and sharing them with us!
