Ah, that music

Rating: 8/10 (31 October 2004)

Despite a wonderful performance by Jamie Foxx and a lot of wonderful music by The Genius, Ray is disappointing. Taylor Hackford's direction lacks the kind of subtlety the story deserves and the development is often irritatingly abrupt. Ray Charles' becomes a heroin addict, the movie tells us, when he insists on joining some of his fellow musicians as they shoot up while on the road. We see nothing of any internal struggle, of temptation felt and resisted. He just turns himself into a junkie. Boom. Similarly, his wife learns of his drug use when she finds his works in his shaving kit. Nothing of suspicion, fear, and worry followed by eventual confirmation. Just another boom. Still, this is a very entertaining film, and even at 152 minutes it doesn't feel long. Foxx looks, sounds, and moves like Ray Charles. Even in the scenes where he is making music and we hear the real Charles on the super soundtrack, Foxx is Ray. The supporting performers are all convincing. If you ever saw Ray Charles live, or if you wish you had, go see this movie.