2005's 'Ray'

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2007)

The life of Johnny Cash and Ray Charles have some surprising parallels, Both men grew up in the south, Cash; born 1932 in southern Arkansas. Charles; born 1930 in Albany, GA. Both men lost a brother in their youth; Cash lost his older brother, Jack, in a wood saw accident at ten. Charles witnessed his younger brother's drowning at the age of five. Both have roots in gospel; Cash abandoned gospel early in his career only to go back to it in 1956 with a impromptu jam session with Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison (Carl Perkins was recording a new release. Producer Sam Phillips 'left' the tape running but the session remained in the can for 20 years). Charles brought gospel back in his music in 1954 with 'I got a women" A Gospel-Jazz infusion. Cash battled an addiction to amphetamines and barbiturates; Charles a 20 year battle with heroin. Both men have had careers spanning five decades. Now they have another parallel both have a big budget biopic, post-mortem. Jamie Foxx portrayed Ray Charles in 'Ray' (2004). Joaquin Phoenix takes on the man in black in 'Walk the Line' (2005). This is an Oscar bid from Phoenix, and he does a very good job as Cash, however I think Reese Witherspoon does a better job as June Carter Cash, Johnny's life long love and second wife. Robert Patrick (the bad Terminator in T2) plays Cash's father, Ray Cash. After the death of John's older brother, Ray Cash actually tells his ten year old son "the devil took the wrong son!", a chip that he holds on his shoulder for most of his son's life. Art direction was on target, I really felt I was looking back in time, costume design 100%. My disappointment was to find out that out of all the Cash songs that were featured; my personal favorite 'A Boy Name Sue' was not included. Phoenix has one ace up his sleeve and he is hoping it has Oscar written all over it: he and Reese Witherspoon sang all vocals themselves (Jamie Foxx was lip synching). Phoenix and Witherspoon may be unaware of 'Beyond the Sea' (2004), Kevin Spacey's Biopic of Bobby Darin, Spacey did all the vocals as the lead character and the film went un-noticed by the academy.