Raymond & Ray, 2022.
Written and Directed by Rodrigo Garcia.
Starring Ewan McGregor, Ethan Hawke, Sophie Okonedo, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Maribel Verdú, Todd Louiso, Tom Bower, Maxim Swinton, Chris Silcox, and Chris Grabher.
SYNOPSIS:
Half-brothers Raymond and Ray reunite when their estranged father dies – and discover that his final wish was for them to dig his grave. Together, they process who they’ve become as men, both because of their father and in spite of him.
The father of Raymond and Ray was always playing jokes on the half-siblings, hence the names. It’s also quickly made clear that he was emotionally absent and abusive, with Ray (Ethan Hawke) receiving the brunt of that trauma. Now, dad is dead, and Raymond (Ewan McGregor) has come to notify his estranged brother, also delivering the news that it was one of his wishes for both of them to attend the funeral. Ray has no interest in coming along for the journey and seeking that closure, but Raymond can’t drive, so he’s forcing his brother to do so anyway.
Much to their surprise, Raymond and Ray encounter plenty of people close to their father that have nothing but good things to say about him. These individuals range from lovers to a reverend to a nurse, leaving the half-brothers perplexed, especially to someone so unlikeable to them could charm so many women and father so many children that they have yet to meet.
For a while, the comedy writer/director Rodrigo Garcia wrings out Raymond & Ray is amusing; one brother turns out to be a child, others are acrobats, but Raymond and Ray are the ones tasked with digging the grave and burying the body. The half-brothers maintain different approaches to the situation, with Raymond more clearheaded and forgiving, whereas Ray is filled with nothing but resentment. Ray has nothing kind to say, which eventually causes the two to butt heads, but it’s done so in a grounded fashion that builds upon their overwhelming feelings. Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor have wonderfully funny chemistry, with the former playing a more hard-edge character juxtaposed with the latter’s softness.
The one major issue with Raymond & Ray is that, while it dedicates most of its running time to a dysfunctional burial process complete with some laughs, the story concept also seems dragged out beyond its breaking point. Eventually, Roderigo Messier realizes this, choosing to play up new love interests for the half-brothers, which is mostly uninteresting aside from some of Raymond’s backstory, tacking on some amusing context to his newfound romance. Nothing especially interesting comes from these potential partners either, and they never expand on who the father was as a person beyond what we already know.
There is also one final reveal that, while unexpected, doesn’t add much to the characters. You watch for the antics between half-brothers and humerus banter discussing their father, and Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor are enough to make that work. A welcomely restrained approach prevents the jokey nature of the film from becoming too silly. It feels natural and moderately compelling to watch unfold, even if somewhat empty. Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor are doing their damnedest to turn the material into something soulful, and they mostly make Raymond & Ray’s characters worth hanging out with.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
