Toronto Film Festival 2024 Review

Have you ever watched a film that feels deeply inoffensive in terms of quality while you’re watching it, and when it’s over, you just nod and think, “Yep, that was a decent time“? Well, to me, that perfectly describes the crime family drama Riff Raff. It features an ensemble cast including Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Coolidge, Pete Davidson, Lewis Pullman, and Bill Murray. The true main character of the film is DJ, played by Miles J. Harvey. I think this POV will make or break the film for some, as DJ tested my patience early on. However, if you go along with the journey Riff Raff wants to take you on, it leads to a good time.

The film follows DJ (Harvey), who is at a cabin with his father Vince (Harris) and mother Sandy (Union) as they welcome in the new year. One night, unexpectedly, Vince’s other son from a previous marriage, Rocco (Pullman), shows up with his pregnant girlfriend Marina (Postacchini) and Vince’s foul-mouthed ex-wife Ruth (Coolidge). The reason for their arrival is that Rocco has gotten into a bit of trouble with Lefty (Murray), who is hunting him down for a recent event. From there, even more family troubles unfold as they celebrate the new year.

Riff Raff’s strongest aspect is its performances. Jennifer Coolidge is scene-stealing as the foul-mouthed Ruth; she plays a character who is completely unfiltered, saying whatever comes to mind with a cigarette or a drink in hand. Bill Murray seems like he put effort into his role, giving a commendable performance as the mobster Lefty. The way the cast bounces off each other, especially in the more intense scenes, is highly entertaining. However, what surprised me the most was how funny Riff Raff was at times. From the highly detailed geographical map to Ruth thinking she was drugged, the film manages to get a few laughs.

The main point of contention with the film will likely be DJ, not because Miles J. Harvey does a bad job, but because he’s the main character and not the most captivating one.

Riff Raff is not a technical marvel. The camerawork is basic, nothing too flashy; it simply gets the job done. This description fits much of the film: it gets the job done. As I mentioned earlier, this is inoffensive. It’s a film you can watch and enjoy, but I wouldn’t say it’s worth rushing out to see. Riff Raff is just good; it’s not amazing, it’s not bad—it’s good.