Ray
Movie Review: Ray
Stars (Out of 10): 8.5
One Word Summary: Powerful Movie Details: MPAA RATING: PG-13 for depiction of drug addiction, sexuality and some thematic elements Starring Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Harry J. Lennix, Bokeem Woodbine, Aunjanue Ellis, and Sharon Warren GENRE(S): Drama | Musical WRITTEN BY: James L. White (also story) DIRECTED BY: Taylor Hackford RELEASE DATE: DVD: February 1, 2005 RUNNING TIME: 152 minutes Relevant Sites: Shopping: "Ray" Review: Ray is the story of Ray Robinson, a.k.a. Ray Charles, legendary pianist and singer who pioneered his own style of gospel, country, jazz, and orchestral music. Born in a poor town in Georgia, Charles went blind at the age of seven, shortly after witnessing the tragic and accidental death of his younger brother. The film chronicles his early life through the heights of his career. As Charles grew more and more famous, he was caught in a terrible battle with heroin and his marriage began to deteriorate. Simultaneously, Charles championed desegregation in the very clubs that made him famous (which eventually got him banned from playing in Georgia) and revolutionized the music industry. Ray is one of the most hyped movies of the year but for good reason. Jamie Foxx delivers a masterful and much talked about performance, but Taylor Hackford is really the person that makes this film so memorable. Ray is the best directed movie of the year. Sorry Martin Scorsese, your long awaited Oscar will have to wait another day. Hackford's lighting and the shadows it creates make Foxx's performance all the more powerful. The film style is the same used in The Aviator (old looking film to match the time period), but it's probably used to better effect, and all actors are superbly clad in the appropriate `50s and `60s attire. There's no doubt 2004 was the year of biopics; Alfred Kinsey, Howard Hughes, J.M. Barrie, Paul Rusesabagina, Bobby Darrin, Che Guerva, and Jesus all had their lives adapted into motion pictures. (Of the biopics I saw) Ray was the best. In an extraordinary way, this movie takes a man who, in most facets of his life, wasn't very admirable and allows the audience to see his bad side as well as the hardships he survived and why he was the way he was. In a cruel way, Ray allows us to see the life of 'The Incomparable' Ray Charles through his own eyes Yes, he was a drug addict; yes, he was unfaithful to his wife and (for a time) apathetic to his children after he was sure that they had ten fingers and ten toes; yes, he sold out his friends for money. But Ray goes farther than that. His drug addiction started as a way to cope with his blindness, he was unfaithful because, in his own words, 'When I walk out that door I walk out alone in the dark. I'm trying to do something ain't nobody ever done in music and business. But I can't do it if I'm alone everywhere I go. I don't wanna be alone,' and his desire for money was only because he had none growing up. This movie is admirable in that it doesn't present Ray Charles as scum or as an infallible hero; instead it presents him as a flawed man that did good as well as bad. Jamie Foxx's performance is truly incredible. I doubt there's a harder character to play than a blind one, and Foxx's portrayal of Charles is uncanny. He completely nails Charles' famous gestures and style, bringing real credibility to the role. Halfway through the movie, you'll forget that Foxx is an actor, and that's the best compliment someone in his position can receive. If this performance doesn't translate into an Oscar, it will be the worst mistake that little gold man has made in a while. The Bottom Line is that Ray is a must see. Terry Hackford directs a terrific film, with a legendary performance by Jamie Foxx leading the way. Ray brings a lesson and quite possibly a tear. P.S. If you missed it in theatres, it's already on DVD, so no excuses now!
Taylor Hackford (story)
Theatrical: October 29, 2004 
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