Ray Meets Helen

Ray Meets Helen is a 2017 romantic drama film directed and written by Alan Rudolph, a significant player in American independent cinema. The film stars Keith Carradine, Sondra Locke, and Keith David. This movie marks the comeback of Alan Rudolph after a 15 year hiatus. His successful re-entry into filmmaking delivers a wonderful story filled with his unique touch of artsy ambition, dry humor, and ample quantities of subtle charm.

The plot of Ray Meets Helen, true to its title, is centered on the lives of two middle-aged individuals, Ray and Helen, portrayed respectively by Keith Carradine and Sondra Locke. They are both lost souls, victims of harsh life experiences that have left them disillusioned and detached from the world. Ray is a former insurance-adjuster turned sports-betting wannabe who suffers from a series of failed ventures. On the other hand, Helen, portrayed by Sondra Locke in one of her last film roles, is a former actress who manages a clothing store while struggling with her lingering dreams of stardom.

In a twist of fate, both characters chance upon individual windfalls that allow them a shot at altering their lifestyles completely. Embracing their newfound wealth, they set out to reinvent themselves. They each invest their windfall into a 'second chance' at life - adjusting their outer appearances and embracing changes that give them the courage to believe in themselves and their dreams again.

Their paths cross and despite their new personas, they are drawn to each other. They meet in a world that is strange to them - a world they've created from their recently found wealth. It’s this poignant meeting that forms the crux of the film. As these helmed characters step into the unknown hoping for a second shot at life and love, they soon realize that no amount of financial gain can mask their deep-seated issues or escape their past. Their inseparable emotional baggage begins unraveling their made-up identities.

Keith Carradine and Sondra Locke deliver atmospheric performances, capturing the internal struggle, fear, and hope of their characters with finesse. They keep their performances real, giving the audience a deep insight into these complex characters. The harmony of Ray's tongue-in-cheek calmness paired with Helen's heartfelt vulnerability makes for an interesting dynamic. This is complemented by Keith David who plays a memorable role as a mysterious boxing trainer and the zen confidante of Ray.

Ray Meets Helen is a film that is replete with Alan Rudolph’s hallmarks - a sense of whimsy, existential and introspective examination of characters, his unique and clever dialogue that stimulates thought, and the ambiguous tension between reality and fantasy. The film’s distinct personality is further enhanced by it's smooth jazz-inspired score and a rich visual palette, creating an atmosphere of dreamy longing and quiet melancholy.

It's significant to note that the film is a bit unique in the sense of its plot structure - it substitutes traditional plot progressions for a reflective exploration of its characters. The movie is a slow-burner, encouraging patient viewing as it takes its time to weave a vivid tapestry of broken dreams, embracing second chances and the healing nature of love.

While the movie is about illusion, delusion, and socially accepted definitions of success, at its heart, it is a poignant exploration of the human need for companionship and understanding - a poetic statement about solitude, aging, and the longing for connection.

Ray Meets Helen is thus an artistic mediation between reality and dreams, a film that demands careful viewing, consideration, and patience. Viewers who appreciate Alan Rudolph's style of crafting films and people who love introspective character-driven stories will find this film very intriguing. It's a romantic and melancholy commentary on modern life that paints an evocative picture of loss, resilience, and the hopeful pursuit of love and fulfillment.