Ray

A Review by Daniel

Well I'm listening to the soundtrack to Ray as I write this so the atmosphere is perfect. First things first, Jamie Foxx definitely without a doubt deserved the Best Actor Oscar he received for his role as Ray Charles.

I learned a lot about Ray Charles and his journey through the music business. I certainly was not aware of his struggle with his heroin addiction throughout his life or the unfortunate event that happened to his younger brother during childhood.

The cinematography, screenplay, acting, music,... and just about everything was very well done. Foxx's performance is truly outstanding and seems to improve more and more as the film progresses, however part of that is partially due to the character Ray's development into a more complex person.

Ray does an excellent job portraying Ray Charles Robinson's difficult journey as he spread his talent throughout America. It illustrates the potential positive and negatives effects that money and fame can have on a person's life and those they come in contact with.

As the MPAA rating suggestions, I would recommend this movie to anyone thirteen years of age or older. There are indeed a few scenes that may or may not be suitable for younger children however the main reason I recommend this to and older audience is because I think you must reach a certain maturity before you can truly grasp and appreciate the story this movie tells. It's a shame that Ray Charles did not live to see the final product of the film however I think he would have been very pleased with the outcome.

Rating: 4.5 Stars
MPAA: PG-13
Movie Length: 2 Hours 32 Minutes
Creation Date: 2004
Director: Taylor Hackford
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, and Clifton Powell.
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