Ray Charles was a man whose music is among the most unique of the twentieth century. He was not content to find one style and stick with it. He incorporated many styles into his sound during his long career. "Ray," the movie that chronicles the life of the man born Ray Charles Robinson, shows both the musical and personal tastes of this beloved musician. Jamie Foxx stars as Ray, and plays the singer from the time he was a teenager until the mid-sixties. He works and plays his way to the top of the music business. He starts in a country and western band in Florida, then moves to Seattle, where Ray meets Quincy Jones (Larenz Tate), who's even younger than the 17-year-old Charles. It's there where he begins to use Ray Charles as his stage name to distinguish himself from the famous boxer with the same name. Ray then plays the "chitlin circuit" of the south of the fifties with Lowell Fulsom (Chris Thomas King) and his band. While Charles had recorded some music on his own, he finally finds the solo voice that catapulted him to fame with the help of Ahmet Ertegun (Curtis Armstrong), the founder of Atlantic Records, and Atlantic producer Jerry Wexler (Richard Schiff). When Charles later wants more creative control, Sam Clark (Kurt Fuller) at ABC-Paramount provides that, as well as more money than Ertegun could afford.
Early in his career, Ray meets and marries Della Bea Howard (Kerry Washington), a gospel singer who remained faithful to Ray for many years (they did divorce in 1977). Ray wasn't as faithful, though, fathering children by other women besides Della. One of his extramarital affairs involves his back-up singer, Margie Hendricks (Regina King). From the time he was in Fulsom's band, Ray used heroin. In one scene, Della becomes alarmed that Margie has taken up the use of that drug. Ray assures Della that Margie was not providing her with it, or even condoning her usage of it. Eventually, he is forced to face his addiction, as well as the nagging guilt he felt about not saving his younger brother from drowning as a boy. In spite of his weaknesses, Ray continued to have a strong home in Los Angeles. With the help of Joe Adams (Harry Lennix), he became even more polished and professional in his career.
In "Ray," Foxx gives his best performance to date. Not only does he physically resemble the legendary singer, but Foxx becomes Ray Charles when he dons the dark shades synonymous with Charles. Foxx goes far beyond giving us a portrait of the musical genius of Charles, but he also presents the business genius of the man. As a young musician, he always insisted on being paid in singles for his work. As his musical star rises, he not only takes more control of his finances, but he takes control of his image and music, and insists his band act as professionally as he does. Foxx also does well in the more dramatic scenes, as Ray deals with his faults and his demons. Foxx is as commanding on the screen as the man he portrayed is in his music.
Foxx has very capable support right down the line. I hardly recognized Armstrong in the role of Ahmet Ertegun. Still, the actor known for adolescent comedies such as "Risky Business" and "Revenge Of The Nerds" delivers a warm and engaging performance as Ertegun, who's not only a mentor, but also a friend, even as business takes them in separate directions. Washington also merits note as Della. She was a rock in Rays life, even though some of his problems could have easily made her crumble. When the mother of one of Ray's children dies, she steps up and helps Ray to raise the child. Also stong in smaller roles are Sharon Warren as Ray's mother, Aretha Robinson, as C.J. Sanders as young Ray Robinson. Their work gives an insight into the man Ray Charles became. Aretha Robinson never allowed Ray to use his personal situation as a crutch, even as glaucoma claimed his vision. Aretha taught him to be strong, no matter how hard she was on him.
Director Taylor Hackford shows a strong interest in the music that Charles made, as many Ray Charles tunes are featured and performed by a lip-synching Foxx. Hackford did just as well in showing the portrait of a musical legend when he made the 1987 documentary "Chuck Berry: Hail Hail Rock 'n' Roll." Charles himself did have a great deal of say in his film biography, which was already in post-production at the time of his death in June 2004. Many of the recordings used in the movie come from Charles's personal collection, and have seldom been heard prior to "Ray." Screenwriter James L. White provides a story that complements the music. Some might see the screen treatment as a bit romanticized, but I prefer to view the movie as an uncomplicated story where Ray Charles found ways to face the major challenges of his life. In spite of the challenges (or possibly as a result of the challenges), he created music that's hard to imitate and impossible to duplicate.
I'm glad that I went to see "Ray" in the theaters for more than the results on the screen. The theater where I saw "Ray" was also handing out copies of a 15-minute DVD documentary about the making of his final album, "Genius Loves Company." The DVD presents testimonials from several of the performers who were invited to participate. They help to put the music of Ray Charles into the special perspective it deserves. "Ray" celebrates the life of a man, as well as the work of an artist who recorded many songs that have become synonymous with him. I don't think a day will ever come when I hear songs like "What I'd Say," "Georgia On My Mind," and "America The Beautiful," and not immediately connect them to Brother Ray. Even as his life neared its end, Ray Charles was concerned with the images he'd leave. "Ray" is more than just a movie by a fan, and for all music fans. It's the story of a life filled with shortcomings, but it's also a look at a man who handled problems and became one of the most accomplished musicians of his time.
Jamie Foxx stars in this biopic of legendary soul and RB singer Ray Charles. Skillfully edited and with a keen eye for period detail the narrative wea...More at Family Video
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