Powerful Bio

Rating: Null/10 (10 November 2004)

I have always loved the music of Ray Charles, but knew nothing of his background, his popularity throughout the sixties and seventies and his life. Ray changed that in a big way. Needless to say Ray is the story of Ray Charles Robinson, the blind performer who sang and played the piano for over four decades. The film chronicles his childhood, and the years rising to the top ending with his final battle with Heroin.
This is an incredibly powerful film. The actors casted for the roles in this film are what some might consider "second string" actors normally known for Television or supporting actor roles. They all absolutely shine in this film. Curtis Armstrong, Richard Schiff, David Krumholtz, and Regina King were just some the faces we see all the time but never quite as brilliantly as in this movie. It seemed as though they were all putting everything into their performances for this movie. The film certainly did not lean towards painting Ray Charles as a hero or a "good guy" by any means. If anything it leaned the other way although it was also portrayed in such a way that you couldn't help but feel sympathy and struggle for and with him.
The film relied heavily not so much on story but rather certain specifics of his life. Mostly it was his womanzing, drug use and the 60's from his beginning in music to when he really broke into mainstream and became famous. The film delved almost too deeply into his womanizing and perhaps didn't touch enough on the effect it may have had on his wife, played brilliantly but sadly underutilized by Kerry Washington in really her first big role. Her character could have been much more used in this movie.
For all the IMDb critics who are slamming this movie...well everyone is entitled to their own opinion but this is one powerful film. It doesn't have the best flowing storyline or doesn't wrap things up in the way that perhaps it could have. Often times the jumping from one time period to the next leaves us feeling unfulfilled but the heart is there and that's Ray Charles.
The heart of this film is Mr. Jamie Foxx. I failed to mention him until this point because he far transcends this film portraying Ray Charles. Until the film Collateral I would have centered Jamie Foxx out as a typical crude comedian aka Chris Rock etc. His film in Collateral was hard edged, and emotional but no one could prepare for what he was to bring us in this movie. Acting is the ability to convince your audience you are someone else entirely. Making them forget you are actually an actor playing a role makes you the master actor in my opinion. Few if any have ever done that for me until this movie. Jamie Foxx completely becomes Ray Charles. He made me think I was watching Ray Charles grow up, play music, sing, and overcome hardships. He never once missed a beat when it came to lip syncing Charle's songs. His mannerisms and voice were unbeatable. Of course there is the typical Oscar Buzz around this but the truth of the matter is there HAS NOT been and will not be a better performance out there as Jamie Foxx has given in this movie. It's a hands down no choice when it comes to that. The question will remain as to whether or not Foxx is too mainstream for the academy because he is the best...period.
The film did not wrap up well, seemingly Taylor Hackford who also directed one of my other favorite films Proof Of Life, threw together an ending in order to wrap up a lonnnnnng story. Nonetheless the film is a must see for this year and anyone who loved Ray Charles will adore this film and anyone who knows little or nothing about him will learn a lot and see one of the best movie performances in the history of movies. See it!! The film I give a very big 8/10!! I must MUST extend that and give Jamie Foxx's performance a HUGE 10/10 as the best performance I have ever seen.