Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

Majorthebys Charming and brutal

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Myron Clemons A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

smash016 While she's struggling with her lines in some scenes, Stewart pulls it off and is certainly expertly cast. I can't imagine what 18-year-old would've been a better candidate for the role of runaway stripper Mallory. Something about that gritty face, that strikingly unglamorous attitude, that hint of tomboyism in her looks, voice, and mannerisms, that works like magic.She drapes her character with subtle neurotic tendencies and seemingly improvised facial expressions, and when she lets loose, there's no stopping her. The amount of profanity borders on being intolerable, but is brought with such convincing teenage angst that it avoids turning cheap.The pace of the film is relaxed without getting tardy, although I did get the impression you only get to really know the characters when the story draws to a close, as if you're watching a pilot episode.The epilogue disappoints doubly as it presents a somewhat forced positive outlook, something the film is in no need of. While it is clear how plot events might have served as a catalyst for improvement in the lives of troubled married couple Gandolfini and Leo, Stewart changes from self-destructive hooker to neat schoolgirl, from one scene to the next, and nothing lingers to explain any bit of that transformation.I read that director Jake Scott didn't inherit every one of his father's movie genes, but there are similarities that shouldn't go unnoticed: here we have a plot that falls short when evaluated critically, especially in terms of credibility and logical sense, yet I found its aesthetic presentation, acting performances, and profuse melancholy too addictive to even want to think about the story anymore... a liberating experience I've come to love about most of Ridley's movies, anyway.

Andy Steel A well made film with some interesting performances, chiefly coming from James Gandolfini as Douglas Lloyd 'Doug' Riley, Kristen Stewart as Allison alias Mallory and Melissa Leo as Lois Riley. All three did a really good job with a script that I did find a little predictable. Kristen Stewart, probably wanting to do something very different to that other part she's famous for, did a decent job, although some of it did look a little forced. I have always rated her as an actress but with this I felt she didn't make me believe in the character. I thought Melissa Leo did a great job as Lois, I really felt for her when relating the story of how her daughter died. James Gandolfini was excellent as Doug; he was plays this kind of part really well.A quite slow paced film which may put some people off, I did find the opening third quite hard to get through. After that it did pick up and I could see some nice 'Scott family touches' beginning to appear. With a better script I could see this becoming a bit of a hit, however, it did fail to hit the mark (for me), despite the best efforts of cast and crew. A touching drama with some good performances and some nice touches here and there. Not quite enough to earn my recommendation but still maybe worth a look.My Score 6.4/10IMDb Score: 7.0/10 (based on 10,400 votes at the time of going to press).MetaScore: 50/100: (Based on 29 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).Rotten Tomatoes 'Tomatometer' Score: 54/100 (based on 76 reviews counted at the time of going to press).Rotten Tomatoes 'Audience' Score: 59/100 'Liked It' (based on 16,270 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).You can find an expanded version of this review on my blog: Thoughts of a SteelMonster.

jotix100 The death of a child is at the center of this drama. The parents, Doug and Lois, are grieving is different ways. Doug, tries to keep on going with his business and his friends, spending Thursdays playing poker and having sex with the waitress from a diner where he stops after the card game. Lois has become a recluse who does not venture out of the house.Traveling to a trade convention in New Orleans, Doug runs into a stripper, Mallory, who offers him sex for a price. Doug is taken aback because he realizes she is only a girl acting up at being a grown-up. It is clear Mallory has been wounded and has turned to dancing as a way to make an easy living. Prostitution is something that goes with the territory she has chosen.Doug feels bad for the girl, looking for ways to help her. He finds her ultimately living among the squalor of a destroyed city after Katrina. Doug offers her to pay for his stay, trying to engage her into making something out of her life. Lois, in the meantime, taking courage, takes the car and drives to New Orleans to be with Doug. She has bad feelings about his staying away. "Welcome to the Rileys" is an interesting feature from Jake Scott, working with the screenplay written by Ken Hixon. Mr. Scott comes from a family heavily involved in the movie industry. He is the son of Ridley Scott and the nephew of Tony Scott. It took him a while to get to this stage, apparently, after being involved in videos and another film which we never saw. This drama feels real because the viewer feels the pain of the Rileys. They have been carrying their grief for a long time and it has gotten between them in ways they never expected. The trip to New Orleans act as a catalyst in the Riley's marriage. Lois is an intelligent woman who realizes she is about to lose her man. She must overcome her fear of being out and living a normal life.Doug sees in Mallory the daughter that fate robbed him. In spite of her bravado, he finds the girl is an insecure young woman asking for help. After Lois arrive, there is no question of anything incorrect in Doug's relationship with the young stripper. Unfortunately, Mallory is not ready for a normal life. In the end, Doug and Lois find a way to stay together because of the love they feel for one another.Mr. Scott gets outstanding performances from the three principals in the film. James Gandolfini makes a convincing Doug in one of the best things he has made in his career. Melissa Leo is wonderful as Lois. Her fear of losing Doug is all she needed to come back to the world she abandoned with the tragedy in her life. Kristen Stewart shows a mature side in her Mallory. The best thing in the film is the ensemble acting the director achieves with his sure handling of the amazing cast.

pbothra-09 I think the movie was great. All three actors acted really well. The story of the movie is not at all predictable. This is the reason why it grasps your attention. You want to see more of it when it ends. Kristen Stewart has done a real good job portraying a 16year old runaway and stripper. She was awesome in her character. This movie actually shows how a 16year old girl is independent and does not need support. The character is very strong. I really liked it. I would recommend that everyone should see this because this movie is different. It is a very interesting movie and people will enjoy it. I was glad that the story does not end how we hope. Some times a change makes you feel good.