"Ray" is an experience - not just a Movie

Rating: 10/10 (1 January 2005)

"Ray" is a spectacular movie. If Jamie Foxx doesn't win the Oscar it will be greatest Academy miscarriage since Val Kilmer in "Tombstone". I was so caught up in Ray Charles' life I was feeling guilty for not being more in touch with his career since the hit days of the late '50's and '60's. Although I have heard and read some negative comments about biopics of very recently deceased people as exploitive, it is easy to thoroughly disagree. This depiction of Ray's life was made even More emotional by driving home the impact of the talent we lost so recently. Ray Charles' legacy is well chronicled and safely maintained within this film. Jamie Foxx takes us inside his head. Hackford uses the time shift devise beautifully to illustrate the influences that brought young Ray to stardom with the baggage that haunted him for a large part of his life and musical success. An emotional journey that does not disappoint.