A glimpse into the life of an extraordinary musician

Rating: Null/10 (24 September 2007)

'Ray' tells the wonderful story of multi-talented musician, the late Ray Charles, played flawlessly by Jamie Foxx. Not only do we forget that it's Foxx (thanks to the uncanny resemblance and mastered gestures and voice) but all we see is the character Ray Charles. The actor has put a lot of hard work and his effort has obviously paid off.
The supporting cast are exceptional. Whether it's the seductive Aunjanue Ellis, the feisty Regina King, the charismatic Keri Washington or the enigmatic Sharon Warren, they're all standouts.
'Ray' starts with the musician's early days starting out in the music business until the late 60's. We are presented with flashbacks of his childhood, his battle with his inner demons, his unstable love-life and his love for music. Director Taylor Hackford tells the story in a very engaging way.
The superb cinematography not only takes us from place to place but also from one time to another. The audience may feel as if they're a silent witness to Ray's journey. The soundtrack is all the legendary Ray's immortal voice and it brilliantly echoes Ray's feelings.
Lastly, this is a worthy film about an extraordinary musician and his love for music. Like Keri Washington tells Foxx in the movie, 'There's one thing you love more than anything in the world and that's music'.