Customer Reviews

Let It Ride [VHS]

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Let It Ride is one of those lost treasures. Dreyfus is at his comic best and David Johansen (Buster Poindexter), Teri Garr, Jennifer Tilly and the rest of the cast are excellent as well. FUNNY throughout. Leonard Maltin, what were you watching? Featuring some very true-to-the-track moments, this movie wins going away. (Based on the book "Good Vibes" by Jay Cronley...read it!)

Even if you are not a Richard Dreyfus fan, you should see this movie at least once. Filmed in 1989 but timeless, this is one of those movies that you actually buy because you know you will watch it over and over again. Each character is so rich in personality that you will be drawn into the story because of them, you are in for a great ride. Teri Garr was in her prime as "Trotter's" Richard Dreyfus' wife, even the ticket seller at the track becomes someone you want to see again because he is just one of the people who become essential to the web of racetrack family in this funny, funny story. AND surprise, surprise, the end is wonderful and makes you feel good! So unusual in these days of "reality based" story lines. See it and have a good time.

Is it possible that no one rated this film less than five stars? If you watch this movie, you'll see why. LET IT RIDE is one of those quiet sleepers that, at first, attracted a very narrow audience. When it premiered, and when it was released on video, no one I had asked had known of the film's existence. Now, more and more people are asking me if I have. I smugly say, "You bet!" (Bad pun intended.) This is one of those tightly-scripted, perfectly-acted, beautifully paced comedies that make you wish more like this were made. Put your money on the right pony and pick this one up. Sorry, Smarty Jones.

"I am having a very good day."

-Jay Trotter, Let It Ride

If you love horseracing, this is a must for your collection. If you don't like horseracing, give it a shot anyway. It's well worth the rental fee, and I suspect you'll be heading back to Amazon.com shortly thereafter to purchase it.

Let It Ride is one of my favorite comedies of all time and truly is a hidden gem. Richard Dreyfuss is Jay Trotter, a cab driver in Miami who dreams of having that one day when everything seems to go his way. With a strong supporting cast, Dreyfuss demonstrates why he is one of the most versatile actors in the business. Let It Ride is a brilliant comedy that actually has a touch of drama (or a lot of drama if you love the Kentucky Derby!) It is a feel good movie that never gets old no matter how many times you watch it. Personally, I have lost count.

Forget Leonard Maltin and the "so called" experts who canned this movie when it was released. My only regret is that I didn't get a chance to see it on the big screen. Do yourself a favor and see this movie. While you are at it, do me a favor and beg someone to release this on DVD!

This is just an outstanding movie that unfortunately flopped at the box office. This film was directed by Joe Pytka, who is extremely succesful in T.V . commercials, but less so in movies. This film is funny, touching, has and has a great soundtrack. Richard Dreyfuss plays the loser who against all odds has a great day at the track. It also is love story, with Terri Garr as his wife and Jennifer Tilly in her prime as a knockout possible extra-curricular interest. An over the top hilarious supporting role by David Johansen and a really funny small part by Robbie Coltrane as a cashier just add to the fun. Especially enjoyable for anyone who has ever gambled.

That is probably my favorite line from the film. Let It Ride is one of the smaller sports films that never really got the exposure it deserved. It has funny momments (Maltin must have been watching a different movie). Richard Dreyfuss is great as the "can't lose" cabbie who has a really good day at the track. Jennifer Tilly cracked me up as the ditzy brunette who doesn't know which way is up. Robbie Coltrane is also hilarious as he gets a change of attitude when Jay Trotter has his good day. The character of Trotter is very facsinating. It's someone we can relate to. He's always been a born loser, then something comes along to change his life. Along the way, he gains friends and admiration. He's an everyday everyman. It just goes to show that whether we have to wait one week or one year, there is a "good day" for all of us.

Little, in the sense that it wasn't highly promoted upon its release and great in the sense that it is difficult to think of another film that was this well acted and cast. There's not a performance in this movie that doesn't ring true. We either know, or know of, these people. From the owners/trainers in the paddocks to the bettors in the stands, every one of these folks looked like they were right where they belonged.

Richard Dreyfuss, as Jay Trotter, plays a down on his luck taxi driver who just can't avoid the track. But today, he has a sure thing (along with a $50 bill in his shoe)... for one race on the card. How he works his way from the bar, to the rail, to the stalls, to The Jockey Club and then back to the rail is likely to be some of the most pleasing 87 minutes you're ever likely to spend looking at a television screen. And Dreyfuss is terrific. How can Teri Garr not love this guy? He drives her nuts, but she can't help but care for him. And so will you.

Rent it, buy it, look for it on a pay channel... but see it. Personally, I can't NOT watch this movie when it comes on TV. And I've seen it a dozen times. Chances are that you will, too.

Director Joe Pytka says he was unhappy with the final cut of this film, but I find this movie to be a comic gem. Though the simple premise of this movie probably wouldn't excite today's studio execs enough to get it green-lighted, the charmingly eccentric characters are the real juice in this film. Some movies don't hold up to repeat viewings when you already know how the movie ends, but with this movie you enjoy the characters so much the plot seems almost incidental. Dreyfuss at his funniest! Most regular movie watchers don't even deserve a movie like this. This is a private indulgence for the select few who have discovered its charm. And a previous reviewer was right: Leonard Maltin must have had a wild hair up his posterior when he panned this film.

Who didn't dream of a day when you couldn't lose? Trotter is brilliantly played by Dreyfuss as the lead, but the other characters are what puts it over the top. David Johannsen, Teri Garr, and Jeniffer Tilly- who never looked better. You don't have to be a race fan to enjoy, but it does add a little to those of us who know different characters at the track.

I had owned a pan&scan laserdisc of this movie for years. I screened it for friends, always completely confident in the knowledge that it hadn't been seen: Everyone I've ever shown it to loved it! And now here it is in its original widescreen presentation, which looks fabulous.

Dreyfuss has never been better, Robbie Coltrane is an absolute hoot, David Johansen is gloriously over-the-top, and Allen Garfield, Jennifer Tilly, Teri Garr, Michelle Phillips, Cynthia Nixon (and many recognizable others) round out one of the greatest casts of lovable losers ever.

This movie is worth the price alone for the scene where Tilly delivers one of the most memorable film lines of the 80's: In excusing herself from the table in the Jockey Club, she begins to walk away from the table in that terrific, skin-tight-leave-nothing-to-the-imagination red dress. Dreyfuss's Trotter remarks admiringly to Garfield "nice legs", to which she whips around and delivers a career-making line if there ever was one: "yeeeaaahhhh, they go all the way from the floor to my ass", leaving the two men totally transfixed and speechless, and us, the viewers, in absolute hysterics. Marilyn Monroe never nailed a moment better!

This is a great movie that has charm, comedy and wonderful performances, and you'll be wondering why it never made it at the box office.