Ray and Liz (Richard Billingham, 2018): UK

Film reviewed by Michael Wynne. Viewed at 2018 AFI fest.

Told in flashbacks by an old drunk, Ray and Liz tells the story of a married couple who have a serious alcohol addiction, struggle in poverty, and try to raise three kids. Director Richard Billingham cleverly uses England’s ghettos and grim skies to visually paint the psyche of these depressed characters in the film.

Ray and Liz starts off with British comedian Tony Way playing Lol, a mentally challenged alcoholic who lives with his elderly mom and is Liz’s brother. Lol is going to his sisters house to watch her baby son. Liz is very abusive to her brother, before she leaves she tells Lol that if he has one sip of her alcohol she’s gonna give him a beating. Lol is a push over, Ray and Liz always make sure he is aware of it to. After here departure, the troubled youngest brother to Liz and Lol, Will shows up and gives Lol alcohol until he passes out, Will leaves Lol unconcious and enjoys watching Liz beat Lol when she returns.

The story is an example of a family at its lowest point and it gets difficult to watch at moments. Someone in the theater gasped several times and eventually left. It is not a soft hearted movie by any means.

The film tried to hard to be depressing, and it has no other elements that keep you interested in the story. The positives of the film are definitely the performances. Across the board, all the main actors did well. Especially Ella Smith as Liz, she is very convincing and deserves praise for her work.

All around I thought Ray and Liz nailed some things, but struck out on others. It is a sad story that feels very real and stays with you after you leave the theater. I am grateful to not have gone through such hardships. It made me appreciate my family.