Superb Biopic

Rating: 8/10 (26 November 2004)

"Ray" is grand entertainment. It does everything you want a fact-based personal biopic to do. It's educational, it is anchored by a powerhouse performance from the lead actor in the title role (the amazing Jamie Foxx), and above all it's entertaining. Despite a bloated run time, I was never bored thanks to the fantastic music and wonderful acting (someone give Regina King a supporting actress nod, please). Director Taylor Hackford directs the film in a very straightforward and simple way so that we can focus on the character and the real story and not be distracted by the style over the substance. There are carefully placed poignant flashbacks that give the film an emotional heft I was not expecting, and the film works best when Hackford shows how the darkest moments in Ray Charles' life (the death of his little brother, his womanizing, his drug addiction, the fighting with his managers and friends, the loneliness) are where he was able to create his most meaningful music. It is in these moments where the movie becomes truly uplifting. Ray was no saint, but he was able to rise from both the metaphorical and physical darkness that surrounded his life through sharing his gift of music with others. And it is in the darkness of the movie theater where the artist most connects with the audience.