IMDb > Riff-Raff (1991)

Riff-Raff (1991) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   1,440 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Ken Loach
Writer:
Bill Jesse (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Riff-Raff on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 February 1993 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama more
Plot:
The story of Stevie, a construction worker, and his girlfriend, an unemployed pop singer, serves to... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
‘Wind’ Shakes Up Emotions & Traditions
 (From ioncinema. 17 August 2006)
User Comments:
Tough in the trenches. more (6 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Robert Carlyle ... Steve
Emer McCourt ... Susan
Richard Belgrave ... Kojo
Jim R. Coleman ... Shem
David Finch ... Kevin
Garrie J. Lammin ... Mick
Dean Perry ... Wilf
George Moss ... Mo
Willie Ross ... Gus Siddon
Ade Sapara ... Fiaman
Ricky Tomlinson ... Larry
Derek Young ... Desmonde
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Alder ... Director
Dominic Barlow ... Pianist
Jimmy Batten ... Man buying Kango
Terry Bird ... Van driver

Tracy Brabin ... Singer
Maureen Carr ... Ellen
Lila Cherif ... Client
Martin Clapson ... Pub Band
Tex Comer ... Pub Band
Brian Coyle ... Youth
Les Davidson ... Pub Band
Terry Duggan ... Boss in office
Zohra El Harrack ... Client
Joumana Gil ... Client
Debra Gillett ... Singer
Mike Haydon ... Security Guard
Jimmy Jewel ... Pub Band
John Kazek ... Robert
Luke Kelly ... Ken Jones
Benjamin Lush ... Singer

James MacDonald ... Funeral Director
Jayne Charlton McKensie ... Singer (as Jayne MacKenzie)
Bill Moores ... Smurph
Angela Morant ... Estate Agent

Peter Mullan ... Jake

Johanne Murdock ... Singer
Vicky Murdock ... Medical Secretary
Dylan O'Mahony ... Youth
Stuart Peveril ... Youth
Len Stonebridge ... Pub Band
David Taegar ... Producer
Anne Marie Timoney ... Fiona
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
95 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Certification:
Iceland:12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-14 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:Open (rating surrendered: 1992) | USA:R (original rating: 1992)
Filming Locations:
London, England, UK
Company:
Channel Four Films more

Fun Stuff

Quotes:
Steve: I'm into merchandising myself.
Susan: Really.
Steve: Aye, boxer shorts, colored socks, things like that... that's where I'm heading.
more
Soundtrack:
Spread A Little Happiness more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
9 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
Tough in the trenches., 21 April 1999
Author: Doctor_Bombay from Lucas Buck, NC

In some ways I felt as though I'd died and gone to heaven the first time I saw Riff Raff, an out and out honest look at working class men of varied, and sometimes dubious, backgrounds connected through their work on a construction sight in London.

The cast of characters defines the term 'mixed bag'. I couldn't help but think of a half dozen or so Archie Bunkers on the job site, each one with their own set of priorities, talking about the most important thing in the world, to no one but himself. It all brings a smile to my face.

Our closest look is at Stevie (Robert Carlyle of "The Full Monty"), a former petty thief, who works with a crew converting condos for the nouveau riche, while he's forced to break into an abandoned building just to find a place to squat.

Director Ken Loach expertly focuses on the lower class in Britain (witness his brilliant 1999 feature-"My Name is Joe") where the honesty laced with humor of his viewpoint tends to provide humanity to an otherwise ignored sect. To shine a bit of light on an otherwise dismal existence as it may.

Loach's characters are never overly redemptive: they don't hit the lottery; aren't left millions by a dead aunt; or marry a rich suitor. And the ending here is a bit short, trite. But they usually come through the film a little stronger having weathered their travails, feeling a little better about themselves. I dare say we come through feeling a little better about ourselves as well.

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