Ray, an inspired movie

Rating: 9/10 (29 December 2004)

A very watchable account of Ray Charles's musical career. The flashbacks to his childhood and the simplicity of life when he was a boy were very refreshing. The loss of his younger brother George, right before he lost his sight, was a traumatic experience that the director used in a very efficient and revealing way throughout the movie.
Ray's tribulations caused by his childhood traumas found an unfortunate expression in drug consumption (killer heroin) at the beginning of his career. His heroin-induced tremors and nightmares at the rehab center will remind you of Trainspotting.
The choice of songs was also inspired, Hit the Road, Georgia on My Mind, What'd I Say, etc. In addition, a cohesive plot and a smooth transition from one scene to the next will keep you absorbed throughout the movie without realizing that it's almost 2 and a half hours long!