Review by Donner

Universal Pictures Presents
Ray

Reviewed 11.18.04

The only thing more extraordinary than the music is the man behind it: Ray Charles.

Directed by Taylor Hackford

Story by Taylor Hackford and James L. White

Screenplay by James L. White

Starring Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Richard Schiff, and Aunjanue Ellis

Rated PG-13 for depiction of drug addiction, sexuality and some thematic elements

FUN FACT: Jamie Foxx played the piano in all scenes himself.

If Jamie Foxx is ever going to win an Oscar, it's going to be for this film.  As a matter of fact, you know... just forget the Academy Awards and whoever the hell else might be nominated.  They should just hand that little statue over to him right now and be done with it.

The movie is Ray and it's the biography of the late great Ray Charles.  Honestly, how could you not love Ray Charles?  I grew up with his music, loved his work, and mourned his passing.  Jamie Foxx does such an impressive job portraying the entertainer in Ray that you can honest-to-God forget that you're not really looking at Ray Charles up there on the screen.  The illusion is spectacular and the performance is heartfelt.

Like I said... Oscar.

Following the career of Ray Charles from a boy going blind on a sharecropping farm to his explosion on the music scene, Ray isn't a movie full of wine and roses.  In addition to acknowledging and celebrating the singer's genius, it also exposes his personal demons of womanizing and drug abuse.  The movie is even handed, that's for sure, but it is engrossing and interesting to watch.

Ray is full of great music and a light humor that is sure to please... unfortunately, this is also a movie that drags and lacks essential energy.  It's long... probably too long, as a matter of fact.  It either needed to be shortened or livened up.  I'm not for certain which.

Ray isn't groundbreaking and, save for Jaime Foxx' incredible portrayal of Ray Charles, isn't very noteworthy.  Still, I guess I could say that it's entertaining enough to give it a modest recommendation.  Ray can best be best be described as a mediocre movie with a mediocre script and lousy editing... but with a cast that is really too good for it.  Take that how you will.