Ray & Liz

Released Jul 10, 2019

1 hr. 48 min.

Drama

List

94%

71 Reviews

Tomatometer

Outside of Birmingham, Ray and Liz raise their two sons living on the margins of society, performing extreme rituals and breaking social taboos as they deal with issues beyond their control.

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Critics Consensus

Ray & Liz takes an unflinching look at lives impacted by poverty whose lingering impact is enhanced by writer-director Richard Billingham's refusal to indulge in sentimentality.

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isla s

This film depicts a British working class family with poverty, neglect and depravation. Suffice to say, it's not the cheeriest watch. Its quite grim really and frustrating because its clear that certain people are taking advantage of others - there is an element of manipulation. There were some mildly amusing moments, believe it or not, involving the kids, although I did feel sorry for them too, frankly - certainly the younger ones. I suppose its a somewhat thoughtful watch, not one that will suit or appeal to, everyone but I'd say this is an ok watch, which yes, I'd cautiously recommend.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not for the faint hearted as this movie shows what life is really like for some people when living in poverty with no prospects and mental health issues that go untreated. If you have seen Richard Billingham's photos of his family he took when growing up in a council hi rise block in Cradely Heath during the 80s and were fascinated by them, then this film brings those photos to life. I loved it but my wife couldn't finish watching it as felt it was too depressing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Talk about slow,bloody hell,no idea who gives this pile of shite good scores.It was boring,dragged on and not at all worth watching.Out of 10 i would score it 2 and thats just for the nostalgia of props

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

dave d

I hated this film. The more I think about it the more it repulses me. Critics will tell you, "I do declare this was a lovely jaunt looking at the poor". Let me tell you this isn't respectful or generous or caring. It's another in the increasing long line of movies that culture the audience to punch down at the less fortunate of the world who would never watch a film like this in the first place. We're supposed to hate these people. We're supposed to be repulsed while feeling a certain sentimentality for the kids. When the movie isn't unflinchingly hideous, it's flat out boring. The final act could cure insomnia, not to mention we haven't developed any care from the characters on the screen. Disgusting. If you like slowing down to see people in pain on the side of the road this is right up your alley. Final Score: 1.8/10

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

There is very little plot to this film, even for an "artsy" one. The story line could have been delivered in 30 min. Some characters are absolutely pointless and way too much time is spent developing them. The story is one we have heard before and have seen done better.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Ray & Liz is a great movie that shows how alcohol and mental abuse impacts a low income family that only rely on the welfare of their government. This movie is really interesting because it really brings you into the lives of Ray and Liz's family, from the slow closeup camera shots to the dramatic pauses. Would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who loves psychological ordeals.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

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Richard Billingham

Director

Richard Ashton

Sid

Michelle Bonnard

Zeinab

James Eeles

Kevin

Sam Gittins

Will

James Hinton

Dean

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Justin Chang

Los Angeles Times

What distinguishes "Ray & Liz" is its ability to find strange tonal nuances within that terrible sadness; bleak as it is, it's remarkably devoid of bitterness or rancor, and even its most despairing passages are flecked with humor and hope.

Jul 20, 2019

Full Review

Dave White

TheWrap

Billingham's famous photos are tough-minded and emotionally painful, silent by virtue of their medium. And his live-action version offers a similar experience.

Jul 19, 2019

Full Review

José Teodoro

Film Comment Magazine

Gorgeously photographed on 16mm, Richard Billingham's Ray and Liz counters the grubby, quasi-authentic tenets of so-called British miserablism with humor, beauty, and a sensuality that in no way dilutes the hardships and neglect at its core

Jul 15, 2019

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

The domestic portrait with which it reconstructs fragments of Billingham's childhood and his dysfunctional family seems infinitely flat to me. Full review in Spanish

Rated: 4/10

Mar 31, 2022

Full Review

Alonso Díaz de la Vega

El Universal

Even the presence of memory and the past show that no evil lasts forever. At least for Richard and Jason. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 9, 2021

Full Review

Amelia Harvey

Screen Queens

Whilst it doesn't follow a concrete narrative, Ray & Liz is a moving portrayal of a family trying to stay above the poverty line.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 13, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Outside of Birmingham, Ray and Liz raise their two sons living on the margins of society, performing extreme rituals and breaking social taboos as they deal with issues beyond their control.

Director: Richard Billingham
Executive Producer: Adam Partridge, Ed Talfan
Screenwriter: Richard Billingham
Distributor: KimStim
Production Co: Jacqui Davies, Severn Screen Limited
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 10, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 14, 2020

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