Conference bookie::movies

169.0. "Riff Raff" by 6179::VALENZA (My note runneth over.) Mon May 03 1993 13:32

    This film tells the story of a group of workers trying to make do at a
    London construction site.  It is billed as a comedy, and although there
    are some genuinely funny scenes it also contains its share of political
    barbs. The employees have come from all over the UK and elsewhere to
    work there.  The Boston Phoenix mentions that these are "undocumented"
    workers, which I did not catch as I was watching it.  However, in
    retrospect, it makes sense; there was a scene where an employee brings
    some kind of official form with him, which the boss says he has no use
    for, and the treatment of the workers there is also consistent with
    this.

    The movie shows several interesting characters there, and the
    interaction between them.  One man wishes to find his roots in Africa. 
    Another talks frequently of politics (and is also the source of a very
    funny scene involving a bathtub.)  However, the character getting the
    most focus is Patrick, a man from Glasgow, who finds romance with an
    aspiring singer, Susan.

    The movie is both pointed and funny.  Even though this is an English
    language film, for the benefit of American audiences who may have
    trouble with some of the accents in this movie, the film comes with
    subtitles.  I actually found this very beneficial.  Some characters,
    especially Susan, I had no trouble understanding, but Patrick and some
    of the other characters were difficult for my American ears to
    understand at times.

    Three stars out of four.

    -- Mike

    > The Boston Phoenix mentions that these are "undocumented"
    > workers, which I did not catch as I was watching it.
    
    That's why they needed that one worker to cash their checks for them.
    Because they were all working under fake names.
    
    There are also other cases, but to list them would give away parts
    of the plot.
    
    -Scott

    Ah yes, now that you mention it, that also makes sense.
    
    -- Mike