'Riff Raff' Exclusive Interview: Jennifer Coolidge

Moviefone speaks with Jennifer Coolidge about 'Riff Raff' and working with Bill Murray. "Bill would just do something and I would lose it," she itted.

The new crime comedy ‘in theaters nationwide on February 28th.

Related Article: Jennifer Coolidge and Cheech Marin Talk Prime Video's 'Shotgun Wedding'

Jennifer Coolidge stars in 'Riff Raff'. Photo: Courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Coolidge about her work on ‘Riff Raff’, her first reaction to the screenplay, working with the cast, and how Bill Murray made her laugh.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Coolidge and Gabrielle Union.

Jennifer Coolidge in 'Riff Raff'. Photo: Courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and why did you want to be part of this project?

Jennifer Coolidge: You know, you get a call and people are like, “I'm sending a script over. I want you in this and you I think you'd be great for this character.” Then you get it, open it up and you read it and you're like, “I don't see it.” Occasionally, I'll have doubts about something and I'm able to overcome the doubts and I'll go do it. The minute I read it; I knew that John Pollono wrote an incredible script. I have to say, it was such a good script that even if I wasn't right for Ruth, I might have just taken the job. It was so satisfying when I went to the Toronto Film Festival and got to see it. There was a huge screening of it in this beautiful movie theater I couldn't have been happier with the results of that. You know, just how they took John Pollono’s writing and then did Ditto's direction, I felt like it was just an A plus. Everyone did such a good job and especially, Ditto did such a good job of telling that story. I have a feeling John Pollono is going to be employed for the next 50 years straight. He must just be booked solid. I thought that was just a brilliant script.

(L to R) Jennifer Coolidge and Lewis Pullman in 'Riff Raff'. Photo: Courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

MF: Finally, there is one scene in the movie that features the entire cast together including yourself, Ed Harris, Lewis Pullman, Gabrielle Union, Pete Davidson, and Bill Murray. What was it like shooting that sequence and having the whole cast together in one scene?

JC: Well, it took a long time to shoot that that night and it was freezing out. We were all there and I think there was maybe some technical things they had to overcome so it was an extra-long night. But a weird thing happened. I get some really bad news in that scene and there is something about Bill Murray. I don't know if he was trying to mess me up, but I could not keep it together. I mean, I'm getting some very serious news and Bill would just do something and I would lose it and it was very unprofessional of me, but I couldn't help it. I mean, he has that thing that makes you laugh. I could tell that people were losing respect for me. Like why couldn't I keep it together? But that's the hardest I've ever laughed on a job. It was a serious scene and Bill would just look at me like you know like, “You loser,” and it was even funnier to me. He’s a great bad guy.

Riff Raff

"Crime is a family affair."

R1 hr 43 min Feb 28th, 2025

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What is the plot of ‘Riff Raff’?

The life of a former criminal (Ed Harris) is thrown into turmoil when his old family (Jennifer Coolidge and Lewis Pullman) appear for a long-awaited reckoning.