RAY
by Jane Louise
Boursaw
Rated PG-13 (for
depiction of drug addiction, sexuality, and some thematic elements). 153
minutes. Directed by Taylor Hackford. DVD Released Feb. 1, 2005.
This movie tells the
story of R&B singer Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx), tracing his career from
his early days as a poor kid in the south to his rise to recording
superstar, in charge of his own destiny.
The film opens in 1951, with 21-year
old Ray heading for Seattle to play in a lounge club. Flashbacks to his
childhood show him learning how to play piano from an old black guy and
seeing his little brother drown in a washtub – an event that would haunt
him for the rest of his life.
Most
of the movie takes place in the 1950’s and 60’s. Along the way, he gets
married to Della (Kerry Washington) and has children, battles heroin
addiction, and fools around with women on the road (Aunjanue Ellis and
Regina King), one of whom has a baby out of wedlock. His support of the
Civil Rights movement gets him banned from playing in Georgia, a ban
that was rescinded with huge fanfare in 1979.
WHAT I LIKED: Jamie Foxx
(nominated for an Oscar) does a terrific job depicting Ray Charles,
although his mannerisms are a little over the top at times. He also
lip-synchs the music, to the point where I forgot I was watching Jamie
Foxx the actor and thought I was watching Ray Charles the musician. It’s
both a depressing and uplifting movie. It shows how difficult Ray’s life
was and how he battled his demons (guilt over his brother’s death, drug
and sex addictions). But it also shows how he overcame all that and went
on to live a good life.
WHAT
I DIDN’T LIKE: I’m as big a Ray Charles fan as the next guy, but I
got a little bored in the middle. I think they could have shortened the
movie by deleting some of the music scenes (don’t shoot me!).
Also, the flashbacks to his childhood
seemed scattered and out of place at times. The supporting actors did a
terrific job, and it was nice seeing Curtis Armstrong again (he played
Ahmet Ertegun, Atlantic Records owner). You might remember him as
Herbert on “Moonlighting.”
THE WRAP-UP: If you’re a fan of
Ray Charles, you’ll love this movie. If not, it’s still a great way to
spend a couple of hours. Just don’t go into it looking for a feel-good
movie. This one’s about the harsh reality of a blind black man’s rise
to fame.
SCORE: 3 out of 4 Reels.
DVD EXTRAS:
Original theatrical version and extended version with 14 deleted scenes.
Walking in His Shoes Featurette, Ray Remembered Featurette, Theatrical
Trailer, 2 additional musical performances, feature commentary with
director Taylor Hackford.
Jane's Reel Rating
System:
One Reel – Pathetic.
Even The Force can’t save it.
Two Reels –
Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels –
Pleasant. Something to talk about.
Four Reels – Wow! The
stuff dreams are made of.
E-chat with me
at
jane@reellifewithjane.com - I
LOVE to talk about movies!
Read my other reviews
here.
