Family dynamics get messy in this dramedy.
Family dynamics don't get more complicated than the ones at the center of Raymond & Ray. Better yet, one hopes they don't get more complicated. The dark comedy from writer-director Rodrigo García leans into the messy and the absurd through a story of two half-brothers bonded by past trauma. While there are some threads that don't quite pan out as much as one might expect, that seems to fit with the themes of loss and unresolved conflicts.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY Raymond and Ray are half-brothers with very little in common on the outside. Raymond, the more straight-laced of the two, makes the trek out to Ray's rustic cabin one night to break some heavy news: Their father has died, and one of his final wishes is that they attend his funeral. Right from the start, it's clear Raymond and Ray didn't have the best relationship with their dad — and that's an understatement.
Though the centerpiece of the film is essentially the graveside sequences, Raymond & Ray takes its time reaching that point. The slower pace early on lessens the impact of certain moments, and it almost feels like the film was adapted from a stage play. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it does give the overall story a more lethargic vibe.
Of the two brothers, Hawke gets the most to play with as the rougher, haunted Ray. Some details of his past are revealed via McGregor's Raymond, but Hawke does much to sell Ray's inner ghosts with his own performance. Though he tries to seem unaffected by his father's passing, later moments pick up on the devastation that lies beneath his skin, and Hawke sinks into those scenes with impressive skill.
Ultimately, Raymond & Ray ends on a bittersweet note tinged with hope for the future. Whether it's a satisfying conclusion will likely depend on the individual viewer. However, it's safe to say the journey beforehand is an entertaining, somewhat twisted ride. Raymond & Ray isn't a movie with wholly likable characters or happy moments.
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