Worth seeing only for the music and acting

Rating: 7/10 (29 October 2004)

After seeing this movie I tried to think what exactly it was that had left me so disappointed. The story-line certainly provides no end of opportunity for drama. We follow Ray Charles' character from childhood to maturity and along the way we learn the roots of his best loved songs. This is not a straightforward chronological depiction however. At what are supposed to be key moments in the movie we are taken back in time in an attempt to show us the origins of what made Ray Charles who he was. Although everyone seems to mention Oscars for Mr. Foxx, surely it is not enough merely to play a two-dimensional character to perfection.
The problem with this movie is quite simple really. It lacks any kind of intensity or conviction. The music is wonderful of course and so is the acting, but in the end these are only as precious jewels set in a plastic crown. What a waste! 7/10