Welcome to the Rileys

Welcome to the Rileys is an emotional journey that takes viewers through grief, self-reinvention and healing. Once a happily married couple, Lois (Leo) and Doug (Gandolfini) have grown distant since losing their teenage daughter.  Looking to get away, Doug travels to New Orleans for business where he meets Mallory (Kristen Stewart), a teenage runaway. Despite her unsettling demeanor, Doug immediately recognizes her youthful innocence, understanding her desperate need of guidance and direction.  The opportunity to care for and protect Mallory supplants the void that his marriage has left in his heart, and eventually brings a new meaning to his life.

I will admit that I knew very little about this film before stepping into the theater.  I was aware that the director, Jake Scott, is the son of Oscar winning filmmaker Ridley Scott and that James Gandolfini has made a career out of playing a mean mobster.  What I discovered after the lights dimmed and a family drama that went against the norm and shined a bright light on many of life’s prickly issues. 

Heavily dependent on it’s characters, the story here is original.  As the storylines progress and the plot lines intertwine, we get to witness a group of characters overcome obstacles and face challenges that we can all relate to.  The events bring out a dark, somewhat humorous side to the story, allowing us all to reflect and realize that life can only be taken so seriously.  It was the most engaging aspect of the entire film as it kept me intrigued with the story and where it was heading. 

Overall, Welcome to the Rileys is a film worthy of a watch.  Director Jake Scott successfully creates a realistic premise that shows us all just how important family is.  The acting is solid and the story lines evolve swiftly, making this film a heartfelt drama worth checking out.