Raymond & Ray
![]() | This article needs an improved plot summary. (October 2022) |
Raymond & Ray | |
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Directed by | Rodrigo García |
Written by | Rodrigo García |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Igor Jadue-Lillo |
Edited by | Michael Ruscio |
Music by | Jeff Beal |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Apple TV+ |
Release dates |
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Running time | 100 minutes[1] |
Countries |
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Language | English |
Raymond & Ray is a 2022 comedy-drama film written and directed by Rodrigo García. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Ethan Hawke, Maribel Verdú, and Sophie Okonedo.
Raymond & Ray had its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2022, and was released in select cinemas on October 14, 2022, before its streaming release on October 21, 2022, by Apple TV+.[2]
Plot
[edit]Raymond drives on a late, rainy night to a remote cabin to inform his half-brother, Ray, that their father, Ben Harris, has died. Raymond informs Ray that it was their father's last wish that all his sons attend his funeral. Raymond works in a boring office job and is in the middle of a divorce. Ray is a recovering heroin addict who gave up playing jazz music on the trumpet as a way to thumb his nose at his father, who had pushed him to learn to play the instrument. Ray is at first reluctant to go, but Raymond convinces him after admitting that he lost his driver's license when he was arrested for a DUI. The brothers haven't seen each other in nearly five years because of the abuse their father inflicted on them during childhood.
Driving most of the next day, they finally arrive at the funeral home. To their shock, their father had requested to be buried in the nude, and he wanted his sons to dig his grave with their own hands. They go to the home their father was living in and meet his nurse, Lucia, who was also his lover.
Cast
[edit]- Ewan McGregor as Raymond
- Ethan Hawke as Ray
- Maribel Verdú as Lucia
- Sophie Okonedo as Kiera
- Maxim Swinton as Simon
- Vondie Curtis-Hall as Reverend West
- Chris Silcox as Leon
- Chris Grabher as Vincent
- Oscar Nunez as Mendez
Production
[edit]It was announced in August 2021 that Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke had been cast to star in the film, which is written and directed by Rodrigo García.[3] In October, Maribel Verdú and Sophie Okonedo were added to the cast,[4] with Maxim Swinton joining the next month.[5]
Virginia governor Ralph Northam announced in September 2021 that the film would shoot in Central Virginia beginning in the fall.[6] Filming began in Richmond the following month.[7][8] Filming took place in Hopewell, Virginia from October 18 to 21.[9] Filming took place at Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond in November.[10]
Jeff Beal composed the film's score.[11]
Release
[edit]It had its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2022. It also made it to 'World Cinema' section of 27th Busan International Film Festival to be screened on October 7, 2022.[12]
Critical reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 48% of 82 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor are almost -- but not quite -- compelling enough to make up for Raymond & Ray's listless narrative."[13] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 49 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Raymond and Ray". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ Echebiri, Chike (October 2, 2022). "'Raymond & Ray': Release Date, Trailer, Cast, and Everything You Need to Know". Collider. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 30, 2021). "Ewan McGregor & Ethan Hawke Team For 'Raymond And Ray' At Apple Original Films". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 21, 2021). "'Raymond And Ray': Maribel Verdú & Sophie Okonedo Join Apple Studios Film Opposite Ewan McGregor & Ethan Hawke". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Maxim Swinton Joins Apple's 'Raymond And Ray'; Seamus Deaver Boards 'Invitation To A Murder'; Bethlehem Million & More To Star In Thriller 'Trim Season'". Archived from the original on 2021-11-09. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
- ^ "Governor Northam Announces Production of 'Raymond and Ray' in Virginia". Governor of Virginia. September 16, 2021. Archived from the original on October 13, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ Curran, Colleen (October 9, 2021). "Ethan Hawke heading back to Virginia to film 'Raymond and Ray' with Ewan McGregor". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ Wise, Scott (October 12, 2021). "Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead enjoy dinner in Henrico". WTVR-TV. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ Manzanares, Keyris (October 18, 2021). "New feature film "Raymond and Ray" shooting in Hopewell this week". WRIC-TV. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ Curran, Colleen (November 19, 2021). "Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor's 'Raymond & Ray' filming around Richmond". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
- ^ Hunter, Allan (September 12, 2022). "'Raymond & Ray': Toronto Review". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ "Raymond and Ray". Busan International Film Festival. September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Raymond & Ray at Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ "Raymond & Ray Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.