Let It Ride

This film just makes you feel good when you watch it. You identify one way or another with Richard Dreyfuss, who plays the down on his luck gambler who wishes for one last lucky streak. The supporting cast is a great collection of colorful characters. Jennifer Tilly and David Johansen especially help keep this movie rolling. At a running time of only 90 minutes it doesn't really lag and it's genuinely funny. Watching this movie makes you wish you had Trotter's luck. Bottom Line: A competent comedy that keeps it's charm even after repeated viewings. Worth having in the collection.

but this one is a classic. Its one of those movies that everyone you know either never heard of or makes fun of you for even bringing up. Let me tell you though, stranded on the island with only one movie available, I want it to be this uplifting film. It may not be my favorite, but I can easily watch it beginning to end and start it right over. The cast each grasped the characters to perfection, with one a better loser than the next! Looking for a little pick-me up, give Jay Trotter and Let It Ride one chance. Although you may still be embarrassed to mention you love it in front of your friends, I bet you will!

What a ride!!! :-)

This is one of my favorite "forgotten" comedies from the late-80s. It has a wonderful cast of character actors who perfectly back up the true star of the film, Richard Dreyfuss ("Trotter"), who pulls out all the stops in his comic repertoire to exhibit quality humor throughout this little film. This movie starts slow then builds up steam and doesn't let up until the exciting climax that mirrors the real-life feeling of betting on a horse race.

The story of a down-and-out "loser" who has just sworn off gambling, boozing, and is returning to his estranged wife on the exact day his life changes with a "tip" on a horse that literally changes his fortunes for the better. Dreyfuss infuses humor, desperation and good luck into a comic transformation from lovable sap to the luckiest man walking within the matter of nine horse races during the day.

The joy I get from watching this is all the interactions with the minor characters throughout the day. The "Looney" character is the perpetual failure as the best friend who can't catch a break, even though it kicks him square in the teeth. When Trotter wins on the sure-thing bet in the opening then asks Looney, who didn't bet the sure-thing, who he likes in the next race - then promptly scratches that horse off as a failure right in front of the guy... It makes me laugh out loud even though I've watched the movie over a dozen times. The rest of the interactions - from the dive bar across the street, standing trackside during the race, the betting window (with the hilarious Robbie Cochrane), or even at the upper-class Jockey Club - we are treated to a feast of quirky characters that not only keep the action moving, but creates new ways for Trotter to marvel at the luckiest day of his life.

This movie was forgotten because it's target audience was the exact people who bypass the movie theater and head straight for the racetrack. What a shame. This movie deserves a place in our comedy landscape for the charm, simplicity, and fun it creates along the way as Dreyfuss breathes life into a loser who realizes, while it's happening, what it feels like to hit a winning streak and enjoy the ride the entire time. This is a comedy classic. There's a reason it's so hard to find on DVD. Not because it was in limited release. It's because the people who own the out-of-print DVDs never want to part with them. This movie is a joy. Let it ride indeed!!!

I used to bet the horses, so I related a bit to this movie. No, I never had a day like Trotter had, but how I wished. :)

This movie had lots of support in the comedy that ensues in the movie. "Cheeseburger" was so good, as was the cashier he returned to after every race he bet. Not a blockbuster, of course, but worth your time to view it.

One reviewer said he felt the tension as the last race started and I have to agree. It was rather predictable, but as the horse trainers told Trotter after he returned the audio tape, "You never know!"

Fun fun flick!Enjoy!

This movie is on cable a lot. My intention to watch a few minutes invariably turns into my watching until the end. I love this movie.

It is a simple and very funny movie with a fine cast portraying an array of eccentric characters. Yet there is often a sweetness in this film reminiscent of a movie like Roxanne.

The premise is that at times the universe can align in such a way that you just know in your bones that nothing can stop you from having a really good day. Watching Richard Dreyfuss come to this realization and watching him savoring it while it is happening is appealing.

It struck me last night that of all Mr. Dreyfuss's admirable body of work, I like him the best in Let It Ride.