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Ray & Liz

Play trailer Poster for Ray & Liz Released Jul 10, 2019 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 70 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
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.
Ray & Liz

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (13) audience reviews
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 Read all reviews
Ray & Liz

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Jacqui Davies
Screenwriter
Richard Billingham
Distributor
KimStim
Production Co
Jacqui Davies, Severn Screen Limited
Genre
Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 10, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 14, 2020
Runtime
1h 48m