If you ingested the entire Edward Burns film canon and then regurgitated, "Outing Riley" would be the result. I couldn't believe how bad this movie was. The first and most fatal mistake it made was having the protagonist break the fourth wall. I have to admit that for me this is almost always the kiss of death to a movie. The only time I can recall it working was in "High Fidelity" with John Cusack. But, Pete Jones (Bobby) possesses nothing like Cusack's talent or likability.
The script was awful, and the story chock-full of insipid situations and plot points. For instance ***SPOILER ALERT*** Bobby, at his sister's suggestion, comes out to his brothers by showing them a slide show of pictures of him and his lover. When his brothers finally accept him, they throw him a surprise "You're Gay" party. ***END SPOILER ALERT*** Only Michael McDonald gives a performance that could be called professional, but sadly he has no chemistry with Jones. In fact he kind of seems like he's acting in a different movie.
I hope that after this and "Stolen Summer" Pete Jones can't get financing to make anymore movies. But, if he absolutely has to write and direct films, at least let him not cast himself.
The script was awful, and the story chock-full of insipid situations and plot points. For instance ***SPOILER ALERT*** Bobby, at his sister's suggestion, comes out to his brothers by showing them a slide show of pictures of him and his lover. When his brothers finally accept him, they throw him a surprise "You're Gay" party. ***END SPOILER ALERT*** Only Michael McDonald gives a performance that could be called professional, but sadly he has no chemistry with Jones. In fact he kind of seems like he's acting in a different movie.
I hope that after this and "Stolen Summer" Pete Jones can't get financing to make anymore movies. But, if he absolutely has to write and direct films, at least let him not cast himself.