Raymond & Ray

This movie is a captivating journey through the complexities of human existence, anchored by the remarkable performances of Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke. As always, Hawke delivers a tour de force performance, imbuing his character with a raw range of emotions that resonate deeply with audiences. Alongside McGregor, he breathes life into characters grappling with the weight of their pasts and the uncertainties of their futures.

Despite the heavy themes, the movie infuses moments of humor and absurdity, maintaining a close connection to the heart while exploring the intricacies of life's trials and tribulations. Through its poignant storytelling, the film leaves viewers with a feel-good experience and a renewed belief in the resilience of the human spirit.

With its stellar acting and profound themes, the movie is an enjoyable watch, offering a poignant reminder of the beauty and complexity of life. Whether viewed on an early evening or a lazy Sunday afternoon, it's a film that lingers after the credits roll, leaving audiences with a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of the human experience.

Raymond & Ray will give you a clue about the darkness of this two-half-brothers drama when you know that their father gave them both the same name. Raymond (Ewan McGregor) and Ray (Ethan Hawke) are attending their father's showing and burial more as a get-to-know-you road trip than honoring the abusive parent whom they barely knew except through their bleak memories of his neglect and meanness.

Raymond is a mediocre businessman on his third divorce; Ray is a secret jazz trumpet player and recovering addict. Although they are estranged, the trip will open up wounds wide enough to last the rest of their lives. They bond, so to speak, through the friendships of their dad's mourning acquaintances and an exercise worthy of prison life, digging his grave at his last request. The friends reveal dad's womanizing life, and the digging provides plenty of figurative interpretations like dad's influence even after life into the after-life.

The upside of this morose journey is their meeting two splendid women, both revealing somethings about dad pleasant and depressing. Father's buoyant ex-lover, Lucia, played by Maribel Verdu, excites Raymond while dad's ex-nurse, Kiera, wryly played by Sophie Okonedo, provides a dose of tough love. These estimable new friends are the only gifts dad has given the boys. However, the ladies exist mostly to heal the boys rather than give us robust characters emerging fully.

Besides these entertaining women, Vondie Curtis Hall gives us a hip pastor with his own acute observations and amusing side-show antics at the internment. If you're scarily happy at this Halloween time, let Raymond & Ray bring you down a notch or two and see lead actors at the top of their game. Apple TV +

Ok, I almost hit eight stars, but then I decided for seven -which is more realistic, I guess. But how come I considered eight stars first? I mean, movies we can see lately... yes, it has been a while since a saw a good movie and so, no wonder I became a little over excited.

Raymond & Ray is not some epic drama. What makes this movie to stand out, is simple story which doesn't become boring not even for a second. I wouldn't categorize this movie as a comedy, even there are some "weird" situations -to put it mildly.

I'm quite a fan of both main actors, E. Hawk and E. McGregor, and they both deliver classy performance here. The rest of the cast was good too, however they don't stand out that much in this story. But even then, it's impossible not to notice Vondie Curtis-Hall's presence (in role of Reverend West).

Let's say it's just a simple "real life" story.. there's something to think about and there's something to laugh about. I really enjoyed watching it -and that's the whole point of a good movie.

This is a brilliant comedy drama for the whole family...

The characters, men and women, are very well drawn, each one with coherent and identifiable aspects, the result of their past.

Ewan and Hawk are great actors, but the other cast, specially the female parts are not always/really up to their level. But it does not spoil the movie.

There are no good no bad people, just what life offers them, and what they make out of it. Some take opportunities, some take excuses, some blame somebody else.

In the end, when time ends a life, its time for everbody to make his point.

The movie has hilarious situations, which could have been from the Coen Brothers. Each scene has its true originality, no stupid gags, no cheap jokes...

A burial with so many true dialogs, about true and false feelings.

I will surely ask my kids to watch this movie after my funeral, and as a condition to claim the inheritance, lol, and hope they will have so much fun as I did.

I force myself through hundreds of boring movies waiting to meet someday a jewel like this.

One of the best intelligent movies of 2022.

So I've binged just about everything series wise. I'm into thriller mystery, so I decided on this movie for my lazy Sunday afternoon for some change. Admittedly, it's not as much of a comedy as I thought it would be. I'd describe it more as "lighthearted " and has a couple funny moments. Overall, it's a pleasant movie that definitely starts off slow. There's nothing in it that stands out except great acting. It's entertaining "enough". Didn't turn it off. So I guess I'd suggest to give it a try for a good 30 minutes and decide for yourself. If you are looking for a laugh out loud comedy gem, then don't even try. Find something else.