You can't hide natural born talent. Ray was a survivor.

Rating: 9/10 (8 June 2005)

Extraordinary biopic. Ray Charles Patterson was born in poverty in Albany, GA. Ray(Jamie Foxx)contracted glaucoma at age 6 and was robbed of his sight. Charles mastered the piano at an early age and would play anywhere asked and allowed. He finally had the music world take notice in late 1957 with his hit "Swanee River Rock(Talking' 'Bout That River').Then came a signature tune called "What'd I Say" in 1959 and from then on out it was Ray Charles fighting a world of racism and his own heroin addiction. Then there was the women(Kerry Washington and Regina King); his romantic letdowns would become a muse along the road to legendary notoriety and the nickname 'Genius Of Soul". His legacy would be built on such masterpieces as 'Georgia On My Mind', 'Hit The Road Jack', 'Unchain My Heart' and 'I Can't Stop Loving You'. Important people in the life of this artist that crossed musical genres: Aretha Robinson(Sharon Warren), Jerry Wexler(Richard Schiff), Quincy Jones(Larenz Tate) and Ahmet Ertegun(Curtis Armstrong). Ray Charles would triumph over many obstacles before his death. Foxx met with Ray and had his full blessings for this project. Most expectedly, Foxx won a Best Actor Oscar for his uncanny portrayal. Kudos to director Taylor Hackford for forgetting the candy coating and presenting the rough and raw Ray. No matter what kind of music you're into; you owe it to yourself to see this extraordinary movie.