Ray --- almost as genius as the man himself

Title:
Ray (A-)
PH Release Date:
February 16, 2005
Actors:
Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell, Harry Lennix, Terrence Dashon, Larenz Tate
Director:
Taylor Hackford
Story and Screenplay:
James White
Editor / Music:
Paul Hirsch / Craig Armstrong and Ray Charles
Cinematography:
Pawel Edelman
Producer:
Howard Balwin, Stuart Benjamin
Studio:
Universal Pictures



“promise that you’ll never let no one treat you like a cripple again, that you’ll always stand on your own two feet….”

Every now and then, comes a real musician. Someone who knows music, creates music and defines music. Ray Charles is one of those few individuals who reached that level of musical artistry. Artists owe to him the privileges they are lavish with today. The music fans owe him the evolution of Soul and Gospel music. But the people of Georgia, owe him the parity within their state today. These and a lot more were captured in this wonderful epic vis-à-vis a musical genius.

Guilt-stricken for the death of his only brother since he was young, Ray Charles Robinson (Jamie Foxx) tried to find his way in the world: a world with no mother, no brother, and no light. His talent with the keyboards will take him places that he never thought possible including the world he wished he never knew, the world of heroine. As he soared high in success he ascended high in addiction. Will he be able to free himself from the guilt of his brother’s death? Will he be able to escape the craving for the substance that served as his diversion from his bothered past? And how far will his music take him?



If it is difficult to reach your dreams when you’re a degree holder, attractive and fit, what more when you’re an orphan, blind and black? Like in the case of Ray Charles. Normally, one would have given up all his dreams, knowing that his handicap would never allow him to achieve those goals. Ray Charles didn’t, and thank God he didn’t…

The movie began with an immediate look on how people perceive blind people, useless and always needs assistance. Then slowly, they presented his murky past in a gradual manner, throwing in scenes of his childhood. It was very effective. That style they used in the beginning. Bringing in flashbacks, as his past continuously haunts him wherever he go. Here we saw how Ray Charles truly was and how his past and inability to deal with it led him to his success and downfall.

The script would have not been able to hold it all alone since there were parts when it falls apart, lures too much into one idea that unlike heroine, do not becoming addicting. It somehow slipped away from its goal during the latter parts of the script, concentrating more on too many things then left them all behind. A lot of the subplots were not resolved, from Jeff, Quincy, to his arrest. Plus, some of the characters were underdeveloped, and completely overlooked.



The scenes with his mother could have been really great but was kinda overused as it went along. You kinda grow tired from all the running around in circles by the character. If not for the beauty of the music, one can fall asleep cuz it became redundant in the latter part. Academy Award winner Taylor Hackford (Teenage Father, 1978) did a wonderful job handling such a delicate script. Although he was not completely successful in saving that part of the movie, he managed to leave me awake.

The movie wonderfully depicted Ray Charles’ time. From the moment of his childhood to the early 70’s. The sound was great especially the music. The editing is good as well. The photography simple but ain’t overly done which is better than attempting way too much. Overall it was very simply done which I liked.

Jamie Foxx gave the greatest performance of his life in this movie. I did not believe he is in any way capable of giving in that much. It was no less than the incomparable Ray Charles from beginning to end. I’m still in awe with just how brilliant he is. Imitation is very tricky. When you do it good it will be fabulous, but if you fail, you fail miserably and there’s no doing that moment again anymore. And Jamie managed to do a fantastic imitation for almost two and a half hours. It was so great that I no longer thought he’s Jamie Foxx until he removed those specs on the final scene. He kinda lost the aura when he removed the glasses.




The actress who portrayed his wife also did an amazing job, very heartfelt performance. But I was truly blown away by the performance of the actress who played Ray’s mother. She was slamming good. She’s very unique, very real acting. She made my favorite scene in the movie truly remarkable. When Ray was trying to learn how to walk alone and she was watching him do it by himself, that scene was superb.

A great story of a great man. This story is already great, but the fact that it did happen in real life makes it so much better. The first half of the movie will give you the time of your life, but as it goes along you may start to feel a little bored but not way too much that you’ll fall asleep. I recommend everyone to see it, even if it is just for Jamie Foxx’s performance or the story alone. There’s so much to learn from this movie and so many great moments. Passing this one out will be a wrong mistake (hahaha!) so what are you waiting for? Hit the road Jack!