LET IT RIDE

US, 1989, 91 minutes, Colour.
Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, David Johansen, Jennifer Tilly, Alan Garfield, Michelle Phillips, Mary Woronov, Robbie Coltrane.
Directed by Joe Pytka.

Let It Ride is a brief, slight comedy about the racetrack and gambling. It is a star vehicle for the energetic Richard Dreyfuss. The opening credits use some of Frank Loesser's music from Guys and Dolls - which indicates that this is something of an update of Damon Runyon's characters and themes.

It all takes place in one day - and is a gambler's delight. Everything goes well.

1.Amusing comedy of the racetrack, gambling, winning?

2.Miami locations, racecourse, the city? Musical score? Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls music? The songs? Giorgio Moroda's songs?

3.The opening with Trotter and Pam, their resolutions? Tension between the two, arguments? The phone calls during the day? Pam coming to the track, causing scenes, embarrassment? Her wanting to become an alcoholic? Back to the track for the finale?

4.Trotter and his gambling, hearing Loony's tape, going to the track, the various pals at the racecourse? His enquiries about Charity? Charity winning? Going to the race fixers and telling him about the tape, their giving him a tip, the next win? The tie for the jockey club? Going to the jockey club, the encounter with Vicki and her sexy style, Bernie and his loud style, the wealthy woman - and the wrong tip? His being arrested, a misunderstanding, locked up and not being able to get on Lord Byron? The seller of the tickets and his irritation, growing admiration? Vicki and the talk about sex? The discovery of people's opinions - and Trotter betting against them, winning? Looking at Hot to Trot, betting everything, his calm approach? The final win? His lucky day?

5.Loony, the taxi, taping conversations? His brashness, his own bets and debts, clowning around?

6.The types at the bar, those making the bets, the hippy, the big man buying space for onlookers? The waitress at the hamburger bar?

7.The types at the jockey club - Bernie and his money, Vicki and her being provocative, the wealthy woman? Everybody looking on? Pam and her scenes?

8.American humour? The American dream of winning?