"Raymond & Ray," directed by Rodrigo Garcia, explores the themes of grieving for people we never truly knew and finding closure in the face of a deceased individual who has caused immense harm. Unfortunately, the film fails to deliver anything remarkable within this crowded subgenre. While the lead actors put in significant effort to develop their characters, they don't seem challenged enough by the material to create a truly memorable experience. Not every film needs to be groundbreaking, but "Raymond & Ray" follows a predictable trajectory that evokes a sense of depressing fatalism. Ultimately, the film fails to truly get to know its characters, instead pushing them toward an inevitable conclusion, leaving their troubled pasts behind.
The story begins with Raymond Harris (Ewan McGregor) arriving at his half-brother Ray's (Ethan Hawke) doorstep after years of separation. Raymond brings news of their father's death and his dying wish for his estranged sons to attend his funeral. In the film's stronger early scenes, Garcia introduces defining character traits through intimate conversations between Hawke and McGregor in a remote cabin. However, the plot soon takes precedence over these character dynamics. Raymond, unable to drive due to a suspended license, convinces Ray to accompany him to meet the people who were part of their father's last chapter. Along the way, they discover that these individuals knew a very different man than the manipulative father who delighted in tormenting his sons by giving them nearly identical names.
In Virginia, they encounter Lucia (Maribel Verdu), their father's last partner, who introduces them to another half-brother, Simon (Maxim Swinton). The film hints at the possibility of their father finding happiness and peace towards the end, as revealed through a Reverend (Vondie Curtis-Hall) and a nurse (Sophie Okonedo) who formed meaningful connections with him. However, their father's final act of control is revealed when he insists that his sons dig his own grave, pushing Raymond and Ray to the emotional edge and forcing them to confront their painful past.
It is refreshing to see McGregor portray an ordinary character after his iconic roles as Obi-Wan and Jesus in recent years. He shares believable chemistry with the consistently excellent Hawke, who brings depth and nuance to Ray, adding layers that aren't necessarily present in the screenplay. Hawke's performance has been compared to the works of Sam Shepard, but the comparison falls apart when considering the rest of the film, which feels too eager to connect the dots in a straightforward manner. The arrival of Verdu and Okonedo's characters feels predictable, leaving Hawke's rough edges as the only aspect that injects some needed complexity into the overall movie.
Garcia, known for his keen understanding of the human condition, doesn't delve deep enough into the complexity of the story. While his previous works displayed a profound understanding of human connections and empathy, "Raymond & Ray" only offers glimpses of this depth. McGregor's performance provides some of that depth, and Hawke's portrayal adds moments of unpredictability, making the film a passable diversion on Apple TV+. However, Garcia's recent work seems resigned to revisiting familiar themes rather than exploring why we continue to tell these stories or finding fresh approaches to storytelling.
In the end, "Raymond & Ray" fails to make a lasting impact, falling short of its potential to deliver a more profound exploration of grief, closure, and complex familial dynamics.
Raymond & Ray (2022) - info
- Release date: September 12, 2022
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Rodrigo García
- Writer: Rodrigo García
- Stars: Ewan McGregor, Jalyn Baiden, Ethan Hawke