Riot
Riot

Movie spotlight

Riot

1996
Movie
94 min
English

An heiress is kidnapped during the chaos of a riot on Christmas Eve.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Joe CornishGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

The film follows a group of eccentric inmates in a prison, each with their own unique quirks and reasons for being incarcerated. As tensions rise and boredom sets in, they decide to orchestrate a riot, not out of malice, but as a form of protest against the dismal conditions and lack of entertainment. Their elaborate plan involves a series of increasingly absurd and comedic events, leading to chaos within the prison walls.

Critical Reception

Riot was generally met with mixed to positive reviews. Critics often praised its dark humor and the performances of its ensemble cast, particularly Matt Lucas and David Walliams, who would later find greater fame with Little Britain. However, some found the plot to be somewhat thin and the humor occasionally too niche. Audiences appreciated its quirky charm and inventive comedic set pieces.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sharp wit and the chemistry of its lead actors.

  • Noted for its unique premise and darkly comedic approach to prison life.

  • Some critics found the narrative slightly underdeveloped, but appreciated the inventive gags.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this earlier work, but general sentiment points to an appreciation for its unconventional humor and the promising comedic talents of its stars, even if it wasn't as polished as their later projects.

Fun Fact

Riot was an early collaboration between Matt Lucas and David Walliams, who would go on to create and star in the highly successful sketch comedy series 'Little Britain' a decade later.

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