Let It Ride (1989)

This film is a light-hearted comedic gem that received a rather unfair series of reviews by "professionals" who seem to be mostly interested only in content if it fits a cookie cutter slate for "Oscar Worthy". This is no Academy Award Winning movie, but it is entertaining, well done, and all around a joy to watch.The overall premise about an unlucky fellow turning his luck around while still trying to do right by his wife is touching and delivered in a sincere fashion if not a serious one. While Jay Trotter (Richard Dreyfuss) may seem like a shallow, self-obsessed character it becomes evident through his actions and eventual decision to "Let it Ride" that he has a level of complexity to him. In the end it is a story about the underdog getting his due.If you haven't seen this film and are on the fence I highly recommend you give it a try. The professional reviews about it are mainly the same dry "It won't win an Oscar" crud that you expect from professional reviewers watching a movie that was not meant for Oscar Candidacy anyway. Take it for what it is: a funny film about a man turning his life around with just a little bit of luck and a lot of perseverance.

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!!!

This is one movie everyone in my family can watch multiple times and still find funny and quote at random and everyone is able to respond with the right line. Every actor is absolutely brilliant, no matter how small the part (standouts in the supporting cast are Jennifer Tilly and Robbie Coltrane, whom you would never believe is English.) Hialeah is beautiful. And true to the advertising, Trotter (Richard Dreyfuss) drinks, smokes, gambles, and thinks about committing adultery, and you WILL love him. Horseplayers like myself will also recognize a lot of the track atmosphere, and appreciate that the movie may be poking fun, but it's affectionate fun. Major bonus: you can use the opening scene to start fights at Chinese restaurants. This will feel like an especially good day at the track, down to the authentic voice of Trevor Denman calling the races.

I feel like most of the people who commented on this movie. I absolutely love it and have watched it many many times. It is a feel good movie that can lift you up when you feel down. There are so many funny scenes and great lines. My favorites are 1) when the cop is holding the money box in the bar and he claims to have peripheral vision...it's a gift and 2) when Trotter is recanting his day after his last big bet and he says "You can't put a price tag on a day like that". My boyfriend and I use that line after a really good day and laugh peppering it with comments like "paid Looney's tab". Oh my God, it's just the best Jerry, the best!!!