Brilliant cinema!

Rating: 9/10 (13 February 2005)

'Ray' is a brilliant film in practically every capacity. Jamie Foxx's performance is the best and most Oscar worthy to grace the silver screen in over ten years. It is actually more like watching the real Ray Charles play himself than seeing a movie about him. The only other actor to date that has absolutely nailed the behavior and mannerisms of an American icon on film is Val Kilmer's Jim Morrison... and Foxx has even outdone that! There is little doubt that Foxx has a fantastic career ahead of him. Foxx may very well be the next Tom Hanks.
Numerous supporting performances are also Oscar worthy, most notably Curtis Armstrong, Kerry Washington and Regina King.
The screenplay itself is true to life and is the foundation of the film's success. It is not candy coated. It shows the man for all that he was good and bad in a time that reflected significant socioeconomic and racial upheaval.
The film requires some degree of mental digestion, but for those who are willing to make that effort... cinematic bliss awaits.