Ray
Director Taylor Hackford does not hold back with his unblinking camera to scrutinize the life of singer Ray Charles. With Jamie Foxx superbly channeling Mr. Charles, the movie traces the rise to fame and the subsequent toll it takes on the life of a young blind boy gifted with unique talents.
While most biopics gamely smooths over if not completely ignore ugly episode in the subject’s life, Ray fully embraces it. Hackford understands - as Ray Charles himself did (he supervised the film before passing away) that it was precisely these ugly episodes which ultimate made him into the person that he was.
The movie showcases Jamie Foxx’s talents unlike ever before. Sure, he was good in Collateral but he’ll be forever be eclipsed by Tom Cruise’s megawatt smile. Here, Foxx owns the movie. Foxx’s Ray Charles is no saint by any measure - he’s belieavably human. There’s a person behind Foxx’s nuanced performance and not just mere empty imitation. Most importantly, for a moment, you forget that the person you’re seeing is supposed to blind or black - the Ray Charles in this movie is an artist trying to do justice to his talent and his art.
The movie is full of wonderful performances. From Curtis (Booger from Revenge of the Nerds) Armstrong who plays the record exec who gives Charles the room the unleash his talents to
Regina King and Sharon Warren who plays Charles’ muse and strong, fierce mother respectively.
I’ve always liked Ray Charles voice even though I grew up towards the latter part of his storied career. Watching the movie has made me a fan and appreciate more of his early work. This is definitely one of the better movies this year.
No Comments, Comment or Ping
Reply to “Ray”