Ray Donovan: The Movie – The Series Gets Its “Shine a Light” Finale

“It had to end…it had to stop.” Bridget Donovan sums up the saga of Ray Donovan, and particularly, the lifelong strife between Ray and his con-man father, Mickey. Ray Donovan: The Movie gives fans the conclusion to the series they were robbed of after Showtime unexpectedly canceled the show after the season seven finale. The movie is basically an extended season finale and picks up right where it left off in 2020: a shootout gone awry with Bridget’s husband dead and Mickey on the run. It’s a must-see if you were a fan of the series.

The dour, impeccably attired, Mercedes Benz-driving Hollywood “fixer” is Liev Schreiber’s role of a lifetime. Ray is haunted by the suicide of his little sister, sexual abuse by his priest, and the amoral antics of his father. He gains some solace from wife Abby (Paula Malcomson), daughter Bridget (Kerris Dorsey), and son Conor (Devon Bagby). As time goes on, Abby has died, Conor is in the military, and Bridget is struggling to find her place in the clan. The show gradually shifts away from bailing out celebrities to exploring the Donovan family dynamic and relocates from Calabasas, CA to NYC.

Jon Voight is fantastic as Mickey throughout the series. Reprehensible, yet compelling. His behavior is appalling, but you can’t help rooting for him as he struts down the street trying to look cool as an old man. Brother Terry (Eddie Marsan) is a former boxer suffering from Parkinson’s. Bunchy (Dash Mihok) is child-like and suffering from a lifetime of mental issues after being sexually molested by his priest. Half-brother Daryll (Pooch Hall) is Mickey’s illegitimate son from an affair who finds himself way in over his head trying to keep up with him. All suffer from fateful life decisions and painful circumstances beyond their control. Bridget tells the brothers, “You were taught to forget.” Whisky remains their constant companion.

The movie opens with a three-minute dialog free recap and quickly starts shedding light on the family history. Ray’s phone sessions with Dr. Amiot (Alan Alda) provide an effective framing technique for the movie’s narrative. Ray’s assistant Lena (Katherine Moennig), Bunchy’s Mexican wrestling wife Teresa (Alyssa Diaz) and other characters reappear to take a final bow. Flashbacks reveal a young Abby behind the bar, a young Ray (Chris Gray) being groomed to take care of things, and a perfect young Mickey (Bill Heck) well on the way to a lifetime of crime. Secrets are revealed including how Mickey landed in jail for 20 years.

Ray and his brothers have lost a lot in life. As Dr. Amiot offers, “trauma is a thief.” Ray Donovan is a tortured individual. The Ray v. Mickey showdown can’t possibly resolve itself in a harmonious manner. The Rolling Stones close it out with “Shine a Light.” “The angels beating all their wings in time, May the good Lord shine a light on you, Come on up now.” That’s the happiest ending one could hope for.

D² Rating ◼◼◼◩☐

Trivia: Jon Voight won an Oscar for his role in what film as a paraplegic Vietnam veteran.

Answer: Coming Home