Living with Uncle Ray

Living with Uncle Ray was both hysterical and entertaining. Although you can feel for Ray's discomfort with being a Vietnam veteran and having to adapt to a family life, the situation quickly becomes extremely comical. With Ray's niece and nephews irritated with his constant control over the television, they concoct a few plans to distract him while they attempt to regain possession of their coveted television. The scene where Ray gets a new "motorcycle" is hilarious. I won't forget the line, "She's some piece of machinery right there." Of course, once you throw the Humphries and their aggravating pet rooster into the mix, things become even more comical. And then another twist...Ray's sons? You'll just have to watch to see where this tale ends up going and what becomes of its beloved characters.

With an imaginative script and very skilled acting, "Living with Uncle Ray" exudes simplicity and heart. If you want snappy dialogue, pratfalls, and cookie-cutter subplots, look elsewhere. But, if you're in the mood for a substantive character study about the human condition and familial relationships, Uncle Ray deserves your viewership.

Gene Duffy shines in the title role and his performance alone raises my overall rating from a 7 to an 8. His lines aren't plentiful, but he more than compensates with very expressive close-ups and extremely specific physical choices.

The movie is quirky and fun. Even the somber-toned ending isn't immune to the film's unique sense of humor. Laughs permeate at the most unexpected times, and that is what makes the movie a winner. I would definitely watch Uncle Ray again....I just wouldn't want him living with me!

I loved this movie. It was really a heartwarming story of a dysfunctional family and the love that they have for each other. The characters are well defined, original and brilliant in their performances. The storyline was excellent, with drama, humor, tragedy and redemption. Uncle Ray did an excellent job in portraying a Vietnam Vet who is attempting to reconnect with his life after returning from the war. Uncle Ray's sister and her children find inventive and sometimes humorous ways to cope with their situation. The dysfunctional neighbors bring a colorful, heartwarming and tragic touch to this story. This is a gritty, real life story that packs an emotional punch. I purchased this movie online so that I could watch it again. Try it out, I think you will be surprised.

I found this film a quirky and endearing trip through the experiences of a handful of individuals whose lives overlap- at moments quite intensely. There was a great deal of very unique humor carried on with the dialog, as well as the characters' interactions, including ones bordering on the fictitious, like Ray's communications with the news anchors through the television. I liked how it illustrated his mind's slipping into and out of reality, but without setting a dream sequence or some "now we are in Ray's mind" convention of some kind. I was very impressed with the cast of dysfunctional neighbors- a hysterical group of talents whose relationships are fascinating- at times to pitied, and at others, a warmth to be envied. The neighbor's son is played with a truth that constantly made me question whether he was actually an actor acting. Overall, I thought the story was sweet and sad (and laugh out loud funny)- and all of the performances were very real and engaging. I also particularly enjoyed Uncle Ray's way of interacting (or avoiding interaction) with his sister's children- who come up with wonderfully entertaining ways of approaching him and trying to figure out how to penetrate this imaginary wall he dwells behind. It was an original blending of a rather tragic and almost depressing situation with a spontaneous, youthful environment- a super formula for a ride through the unexpected. And again, the situations with the neighbors added a flavorful accompaniment to the main storyline. I can honestly say that I cared about all of the characters involved and what happened to them- a success for any storyteller.

Living with Uncle Ray shows how difficult it is for a veteran to return from a war to his family especially where there are children and to adjust to todays world and all the different things that came to be since he went away. Nostalgia is a key in this film and so is understanding and patience from adults and children.

The film was well done and it is also a family film. The children in this film were excellent performers as well as Uncle Ray. The interaction was well orchestrated. Bringing in the TV shows of yesteryear and Uncle Ray only wanting to hear about the News showed how many people react today as well.