Ray Charles musical genius without sugar coating his life

Rating: Null/10 (29 October 2004)

The life of Ray Charles (played by Jamie Foxx) shows the personal struggles that he encountered growing up in the South as a young blind child (Ray went blind at age 7), and then as a famous singer. The story of his rise to fame and his relationship with his mother and younger brother, his wife, and other women are all part of his celebrated life. Ray's mother told him never to become a cripple, and Ray didn't. Ray was a musical genius who took control of his life and his music, although he did have some setbacks. The movie did not sugar coat any of Ray's life. It showed the devastating impacts that heroin addiction had on him, and the will power he had to kick the habit. The movie is long, but it passes so fast that it doesn't seem long. Jamie Foxx should be nominated as Best Actor for the Academy Award. The movie is well worth seeing, if only for Ray's performances of his music.
(Universal Pictures, Run time 2:32, Rated PG-13) (10/10)