Raymond & Ray
Family dynamics do n’t get more complicated than the ones at the center ofRaymond & Ray . Better yet , one skip they do n’t get more complicated . The sinister funniness from writer - director Rodrigo García lean into the messy and the preposterous through a history of two half - brothers bonded by preceding trauma . While there are some threads that do n’t quite pan out as much as one might expect , that seems to fit with the themes of loss and unresolved conflicts . cast anchor by two neat tether performances , Raymond & Rayis at its best when exploring the odd relationship between its complicated characters .
Raymond ( Ewan McGregor ) and Ray ( Ethan Hawke)are half - brothers with very little in coarse on the outside . Raymond , the more straight - laced of the two , take the trek out to Ray ’s rustic cabin one night to break some grave news : Their father ( Tom Bower ) has died , and one of his final wish is that they attend his funeral . Right from the start , it ’s clear Raymond and Ray did n’t have the best relationship with their dad — and that ’s an understatement . Though Ray initially resists the idea of go , he ’s persuade by Raymond , and the two set out to bury their begetter . Literally , it seems , as their dad ( Harris , as the men refer to him ) also requested that his sons dig his grave themselves .
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From the first conversation between the titular brothers , Raymond & Rayestablishes the basic outlines of the characters and their difficult relationship with their Fatherhood . García ’s dialogue is far from subtle , and sometimes runs the risk of infection of being too blunt . Though certain particular regarding Raymond and Ray ’s pasts are left uncovered , there ’s enough hinted at for witness to get the full motion picture . Harris was an abusive and womanizing father , and he ’s left good deal of scratch on his children . However , much to Ray and Raymond ’s shock , they play multiple people who verbalise extremely of the late man . From Harris ' lover / fellow traveler Lucia ( Maribel Verdú ) to his nanny Kiera ( Sophie Okonedo ) , it seems that in his later class the military personnel turned over a new leaf . Raymond & Raywisely does n’t seek to grow any easy answers about this retentiveness of a man , rather letting its characters stay in that clumsy place that often comes after a passing . Raymond and Ray are ineffective to make up the beginner they know with the humans people keep describing to them , and Garcia does n’t essay to fill in any fix .
Though the centerpiece of the picture is basically the graveside sequences , Raymond & Raytakes its time reaching that point . The boring stride early on lessens the impact of certain bit , and it almost finger like the film was adapt from a stage swordplay . This is n’t necessarily a bad thing , but it does give the overall account a more unenrgetic vibe . When the humankind arrive at the burying ground and begin their task of digging Harris ' final resting place , Raymond & Raytakes on a more compelling edge . This is partially aided by the unique cast of characters that get together them . In addition to Lucia and Kiera , there ’s Vondie Curtis - Hall ’s stylish pastor and Todd Louiso ’s put - upon funeral home employee , plus some surprising additions . As Raymond and Ray fastidiously shovel six foot into the earth , new secrets are revealed , and complicated emotion surface . Garcia injects some darkly funny instant into the pic , and some of the proficient follow out in the burial site . That ’s also where McGregor and Hawke are tolerate to really let loose .
Of the two brothers , Hawke gets the most to playwith as the rougher , haunted Ray . Some details of his past times are unveil via McGregor ’s Raymond , but Hawke does much to trade Ray ’s inner spectre with his own functioning . Though he tries to seem insensible by his father ’s passing , later moments plunk up on the devastation that lies beneath his skin , and Hawke sink into those picture with impressive skill . McGregor often matches Hawke ’s loyalty , but his character has a shakier storyline . Raymond is just as spite as Ray , but the direction he process his emotions are a bit more predictable , which tone down its impact . Among the supporting form , Verdú elicits laugh as the shockingly frank Lucia , and Okonedo fake a delicious resonance with Hawke that givesRaymond & Rayan extra jerk of intrigue . She proves to be one of the most compelling personalities among the ensemble .
Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke in Raymond & Ray
at last , Raymond & Rayends on a semisweet note tinged with promise for the future . Whether it ’s a hearty conclusion will likely depend on the private viewer . However , it ’s safe to say the journey beforehand is an entertaining , somewhat twisted ride . Raymond & Rayisn’t a movie with completely appealing lineament or happy moments . It has some flaw , too , but between Hawke ’s fascinate performance and the motion-picture show ’s willingness to go to some awkward spot , it proves to be a worthwhile adventure .
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Raymond & Raypremieres on Apple TV+ Friday , October 21 . It is 106 minute foresightful and value R for voice communication and some sexual textile .
Maribel Verdú and Sophie Okonedo in Raymond & Ray
Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke in Raymond & Ray
