Welcome To The Rileys

Doug Riley (James Gandolfini in a terrific role) is a man who's lost right now. He's in an unloving marriage to his wife Lois (Melissa Leo is equally great). We can see it wasn't always like this and we learn that they haven't really dealt with the death of their only daughter. Lois is basically house bound since the event while Doug goes to poker games and visits an all nite diner striking up a conversation with the waitress Vivian (Elsa Davis). Doug has to go to a convention in New Orleans where he ends up going to a seedy strip club. It is there where he meets Mallory (Kristen Stewart) a girl who is teetering on the brink of no return. After an altercation with him at the club they end up accidentally meeting again. He's nice to her and she doesn't understand why he is. When she asks him what he wants he says he wants nothing from her. I don't want to say anymore than that as to what happens but we're asking ourselves why does Doug do this? Does he miss his daughter so much that he wants to help Mallory? Is he trying to find a purpose in his life since Lois isn't there for him anymore? Or is it for other reasons? From what I've said you would think this is nothing but a bleak situation. Well yes, if you're looking at Mallory's life it pretty much is. But then this man comes into her life who wants nothing but to help and she has a hard time with that since she's used to all men wanting something from her. But believe me there is love, friendship, hope and rebirth that makes this movie so enriching and rewarding to watch. Gandolfini, Leo, and Stewart all do an amazing job with Jake Scott's (Ridley's son and Tony Scott's nephew) direction written by Ken Hixon. It is a great drama that is worth your time. Recommended.