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Raymond and Ray is one of those low-key movies which, overall, feels more than the sum of its parts.
It centres around the two half-brothers in the title, Raymond (Ewan McGregor) and Ray (Ethan Hawke), starting with the former going to the latters house, as their father, Harris, has died, and Raymond needs a lift to the funeral because he no longer has a licence, following recent indiscretions in his driving abilities.
Raymond is more the sensible one of the pair, in a steady job, while Ray is a lazy bum when it comes to working, and a reformed drug addict and former trumpet player. However, can they find common ground, such as whether or not either has any good memories about their father?
Either way, one thing they’ll have to come together for is that their father’s last request was for them to dig his grave, and without machinery – aside from shovels, of course.
Of the cast, Lucia (Maribel Verdú), owns the house where his Dad was staying, and Ray has an eye for the ladies, including nurse Kiera (Sophie Okonedo) whom he chances upon along the way, as well as women elsewhere, leading Raymond to chirrup: “Try not to fuck the funeral home receptionist at our own father’s viewing.” The reply comes: “Ok, I’ll try(!)”
There’s also a great turn from Vondie Curtis-Hall (Chicago Hope, Falling Down) as Reverend West.
Raymond and Ray is a road trip both in the true sense, and in a metaphorical sense. They bicker because they can’t live without each other, but still need each other. Also, their father was estranged from them, and you get the feeling he lived a life of sadness and bitterness, because he didn’t want to be around them in their adult life.
Revelations about their lives and relationship will come out, as well as other great asides, such as when Raymond says about his failed marriages: “I like my peace and quiet”. Personally, I’ve never been married, but I also like peace and quiet.
Similarly, he adds, “We’re a couple of grown ass men whose lives didn’t pan out”… I know the feeling.
And then, sometimes, the pair can say so much by saying nothing at all.
It’s also a slice-of-life drama about finding yourself and learning about each other, as well as discovering relatives you never knew you had, and for the most part, it feels like a play being acted out, which is a good thing.
Additionally, I haven’t been to many funerals, but the one featured in this movie does feel like the strangest one I’ve never attended.
If you enjoy loud and brash superhero movies non-stop, then Raymond and Ray is not for you. But if you enjoy films that can creep up and surprise you, when so much output these days is unwanted dross, then this is simply fantastic and highly recommended.
Raymond and Ray is on Apple TV+ from Friday October 21st, but isn’t yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 106 minutes
Release date: October 21st 2022
Studio: Apple TV+
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Rating: 8/10
Director: Rodrigo García
Producers: Alfonso Cuarón, Bonnie Curtis, Julie Lynn
Screenplay: Rodrigo García
Music: Jeff Beal
Cast:
Raymond: Ewan McGregor
Ray: Ethan Hawke
Lucia: Maribel Verdú
Kiera: Sophie Okonedo
Layla: Jalyn Baiden
Canfield: Todd Louiso
Rose: Angie Campbell
Mendez: Oscar Nuñez
Felix: Dominic Ward
Harris: Tom Bower
Jonas: Lyeneal Griffin
Reverend West: Vondie Curtis-Hall
Simon: Maxim Swinton
Leon: Chris Silcox
Vincent: Chris Grabher
Cashier: Laura Linda Bradley
Diner Server: Jennifer Esquivel
Policewoman: Leydi Morales
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.