Ray (2004) Synopsis:
"Ray" is the never-before-told, musical biographical drama of American legend Ray Charles. Born in a poor town in Georgia, Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's accidental death. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered incorporating gospel, country, jazz and orchestral influences into his inimitable style. As he revolutionized the way people appreciated music, he simultaneously fought segregation in the very clubs that launched him and championed artists rights within the corporate music business. "Ray" provides an unflinching portrait of Charles' musical genius as he overcomes drug addiction while transforming into one of this country's most-beloved performers.
Ray (2004) Movie Review:
After going blind at the age of seven, Ray Robinson was taught by his mother to take care of himself. Learning the piano and becoming an accomplished singer and pianist in the early 1950s, he overcome prejudice and his blindness by sheer determination and talent. The record deals came but it wasn’t until his contract was acquired by Ahmet Ertegun (Armstrong) Atlantic Records that his musical genius was allowed to flourish and the world would start to know the name of Ray Charles (Foxx).
Once in a while you see a performance by an actor or actress that can be classed as truly great and when you watch ‘Ray’ you will witness one of those performances.
Autobiographical films can be very hit or miss. The casting can be off, the facts might not be as truthful as you would want or you might only see a snippet of the person’s life but once in a while Hollywood can get it right. Based on the early career of Ray Charles, from his first job as a pianist in a Seattle club to a pivotal point in his life that would change the rest of his life, this is a no holds barred look at the career of one of music’s true talents. Unlike many biopics this shows all sides of Ray’s persona, not just the one we witness on stage or in the recording studio. We witness his home live, his infidelities, his struggles with racism and his addiction to heroin. We also discover the childhood event that would shape the rest of life and explain why he was so driven. For music fans, the material is completely riveting, highlighting the fact that an excessive, self-destructive lifestyle wasn’t just the realm of Rock and Roll.
At the core of the movie is the performance of Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles. The word extraordinary is used far too often when it comes to describing the acting of some individuals but this time there is no other word to describe Foxx’s portrayal of legendary entertainer. It has been a very long time since an actor has captured the character he or she is portraying so exactly. As Ray Charles was such a public and well-known figure it is easy to see how good Foxx’s performance actually is. It is like been transported back in time to witness the actual events that shaped his life by actually watching a young Ray Charles. He has captured everything exquisitely with his voice, movements and mannerisms are all matched perfectly after spending a lot of time with the performer before he sadly passed away in 2004. He has been an actor of promise for a long time and his performance in ‘Collateral’ in 2004 really showcased his talents but this is something else.
There is also some excellent support for Foxx. Kerry Washington and Regina King play the women in Ray’s life Della Bea Robinson, his long suffering wife and Margie Hendricks, Ray’s lead backing singer and lover while his was on the road. These are two very strong performances of two very different women. Bea is the church-going homely type and mother to Ray’s two sons and Margie is Ray’s lover and inspiration. Clifton Powell is also good as Ray’s right hand man Jeff Brown and there is also a powerful performance from Sharon Warren as Ray’s mother Aretha Robinson.
While Ray Charles might have been a very public figure, there is a lot to his early life that you might not have known and this is what makes ‘Ray’ a very interesting biopic. The film does seem to drag abit in the second act but there are moments to treasure as well as shocks and laughs as we see his early career unfold before our eyes. Co-writer/Director Taylor Hackford has done an excellent job and by taking an honest and very frank approach to the movie, highlighting Ray’s flaws as well as his genius. It is the performance of Jamie Foxx however that the film will be remembered for as this is one of the great acting performances of all time.
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Ray (2004) review written by: Jamie Kelwick
12th October, 2008 
