Ray (2004)

I’ve always enjoyed watching music biopics and as someone who’s nostalgic not just for movies but classic music as well, they’ve always had a special place in my list of movie genres. I haven’t seen every single one out there (I know, the movie-obsessed neuro-freak still hasn’t watched enough) but I always like the stories they tell of famous musicians even if sometimes they can be more fiction than fact. As much as I’ve wanted to watch the Ray Charles biopic, I just couldn’t seem to find the right time for it, until now. Not only was this one of the best music biopics I’ve ever seen but I also got to see one of Jamie Foxx’s best performances in his career. I can now see (no pun intended) why he won the Oscar for Best Lead Actor and it was a very well-deserved win, no doubt about it. I don’t know how much of this film was true but I got to learn so much more about “The Genius of Soul” that I didn’t already know, both from the movie and from what I looked up online. I have more to say about this unforgettable experience, so let’s step into the rhythm of Ray Charles’ life.

     The movie follows Charles’ journey as he rises from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential artists of his time. As his career takes off, he navigates personal struggles, relationships, and the challenges that come with fame. I’ll admit the story can be super intense but one of my favorite things about biopics is when they don’t shy away from how extreme somebody’s life was. And Ray Charles definitely led an extreme life. I don’t want to spoil too much but from what I found out from the movie and online sources, the man was a total train wreck, difficult to work with, and harsh at times. I don’t want to go as far to say that he was a total a-hole but he was certainly a complex individual to say the least. And Jamie Foxx absolutely succeeded in bringing all of that to life. That’s also thanks to writer and director Taylor Hackford, who spent 15 years trying to get this project made but kept getting rejected. There’s actually a pretty neat story there, I’d highly recommend googling it. The rest of the cast did an incredible job, too, especially familiar faces like Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Harry Lennix, Bokeem Woodbine Curtis Armstrong, Richard Schiff, Terrence Howard, David Krumholtz, Warwick Davis, and a whole list of actors who turned in great work. I also loved the music. I won’t lie, I was never a huge fan of Ray Charles but after seeing this movie I’ve become even more fascinated with the guy. And after watching the film, my overactive brain can’t get “What’d I say” out of it. I guess I should take that as a sign of both the power of music and Ray Charles, because the man was certainly a master of his craft.

     This might sound like a spoiler but then again, as anyone with half a brain would know, this movie was based on a true story so what the hell do I care? It’s great to know that eventually Ray Charles did get his act together, he continues to be a monumental inspiration all these years later who overcame huge odds, and he was a philanthropist who founded The Robinson Foundation for Hearing Disorders in 1986. It’s also another cool story, I’d recommend googling that one as well. Overall, I’d have to give this movie a perfect 10 out of 10. So, if you’re a fan of Ray Charles or music biopics, I’d highly recommend checking this one out if you haven’t already. Soulful, stirring, and deeply human.