| Ray
is famous for tearing down the walls that separates people and styles.
He was the king of crossover. Actually, his life is more about integration,
than crossing over. He integrated Hot Jazz with Gospel. He integrated
his unique style with country music. People always warned him not
to break down such walls. But he did, and he was always successful
at it. |
(2004) Film Review |
| This
page was created on October 29, 2004
This page was last updated on
August 25, 2005
—Overview
—Review by David Bruce
—Review by Chris Utley
—Review by Kevin Miller
—Trailers, Photos
—About this
Film pdf file
—Spiritual Connections
—Forum
Dial up modems will take a few moments |
| CREDITS |
|  Directed
by Taylor Hackford
Story
by Taylor Hackford and James L. White
Screenplay by James L. White
Cast
(in credits order)
Jamie Foxx .... Ray Charles
Kerry Washington .... Della Bea Robinson
Regina King .... Margie Hendricks
Clifton Powell .... Jeff Brown
Harry J. Lennix .... Joe Adams (as Harry Lennix)
Bokeem Woodbine .... Fathead Newman
Aunjanue Ellis .... Mary Ann Fisher
Sharon Warren .... Aretha Robinson
C.J. Sanders .... Young Ray Robinson
Curtis Armstrong .... Ahmet Ertegun
Richard Schiff .... Jerry Wexler
Larenz Tate .... Quincy Jones
Terrence Dashon Howard .... Gossie McKee
David Krumholtz .... Milt Shaw
Wendell Pierce .... Wilbur Brassfield
Chris Thomas King .... Lowell Fulsom
Thomas Jefferson Byrd .... Jimmy
Rick Gomez .... Tom Dowd
Denise Dowse .... Marlene
Warwick Davis .... Oberon
Patrick Bauchau .... Dr. Hacker
Robert Wisdom .... Jack Lauderdale
Produced
by
Howard Baldwin .... producer
Karen Elise Baldwin .... producer
Alise Benjamin .... co-producer
Stuart Benjamin .... producer
Taylor Hackford .... producer
Barbara A. Hall .... line producer
William J. Immerman .... executive producer
Jaime Rucker King .... executive producer
Nick Morton .... co-producer
Ray Robinson Charles Jr. .... co-producer (as Ray Charles Robinson
Jr.)
Original Music by Craig Armstrong and Ray Charles
Cinematography by Pawel Edelman
Film Editing by Paul Hirsch
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for depiction
of drug addiction, sexuality and some thematic elements.
Runtime: 152 min
For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM,
and MPAA.ORG.
Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG
|
| TRAILERS
AND CLIPS |
| —Trailers,
Photos |
| CD |
Ray!:
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Ray Charles
1. Mess Around (Studio)
2. I Got A Woman
3. Hallelujah I Love Her So (Live)
4. Drown In My Own Tears
5. Night Time Is The Right Time (Studio)
6. Marianne (Studio)
7. Hard Times (Studio)
8. What'd I Say(Live)
9. Georgia On My Mind (Studio)
10. Hit The Road Jack (Studio)
11. Unchain My Heart (Studio)
12. I Can't Stop Loving You
13. Born To Lose (Studio)
14. Bye Bye Love (Studio)
15. You Don't Know Me (Live)
16. Let The Good Times Roll (Live)
|
| POSTER |
|
| AVAILABILITY
ON VIDEO AND DVD |
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|
| SYNOPSIS
|
 "Ray"
is the never-before-told, musical biographical drama of American legend
Ray Charles. Born in a poor town in Georgia, Ray Charles went blind
at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's
accidental death. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted
he make his own in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift
behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit,
the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide
fame when he pioneered incorporating gospel, country, jazz and orchestral
influences into his inimitable style. As he revolutionized the way
people appreciated music, he simultaneously fought segregation in
the very clubs that launched him and championed artists rights within
the corporate music business. "Ray" provides an unflinching
portrait of Charles' musical genius as he overcomes drug addiction
while transforming into one of this country's most-beloved performers. |
Review by DAVID BRUCE
Host of HollywoodJesus.com
|
 DEALING
WITH LIFE AS IT COMES
Ray had to deal with his lack of sight, and the horrific death of
his brother?which he could have prevented. His brother’s death
haunted him all his life. And it was, perhaps, one of the reasons
for his attraction to drugs. In other areas of his life, in spite
of blindness, his achievements are legendary.
|
 HEROIN
WEAKNESS
The genius of Ray Charles was nearly destroyed through the use of
heroin. He spent years in denial. It wasn't until he was about to
lose his wife and his career, and spend years in a Federal prison,
that he cleaned up in a Christian-run facility. Ray's addiction was
major and long-running. The movie does not shy away from the realities
of its consequences. |
  TRUE
TO HIS LIFE
Ray had a wonderful wife whom he loved, and unfortunately he had a
girl friend on the side. This “arrangement” was the cause
of problems and many heartbreaking situations. The real Ray Charles
worked with the producers of this film, and wanted the real story
told. Jamie Foxx, who plays Ray, states that a biopic that tells only
the good things is boring. He is right. What makes this movie so good
is that it is true to life. People can identify with it. |
 A
GREAT FAMILY, BUT RAY WAS ABSENT
Great wife, great kids, great house?he has it all. His great determination
and drive endear Ray to us. Yet at the same time, we detest his womanizing
and drug addition. We have a hope he will finally wake up and get
his life right. He finally does. His life connects to that hope in
all of us for something better. It connects with that desire to be
more than our faults, to finally conquer our demons. |
 HIS
FAITH
One thing Ray had going for him was his faith in Jesus. Ever so
often in the film, his faith practice peeks through. In one scene
Ray is alone in a hotel room. He is playing Gospel records and reading
the Braille Bible—the part about Moses leading his people
out of bondage. In the midst of his devotion, there comes a knock
at the door. Ray answers, it's a record producer. “What are
you doing?” he asks. “I'm doing church,” Rays
responds.
Repeatedly the film makes it clear that Ray’s faith in Christ
was important—even though he considered himself a sinner.
He always realized that that his womanizing and drug habit were
contrary to his deeply held faith.
|
 TEARING
DOWN WALLS
Ray is famous for tearing down the walls that separate people and
styles. He was the king of crossover. Actually, his life is more
about integration, than crossing over. He integrated Hot Jazz with
Gospel. He integrated his unique style with country music. People
always warned him not to break down such walls. But he did, and
he was always successful. His greatest social achievement was helping
to break down the racial segregation in the 1960s. His integrated
music reflected his hope for an integrated world.
Breaking
down his personal barriers was his own greatest triumph. He broke
down the barrier of drugs, which had caused segregation in his own
life?separation from the important parts of his life like his wife
and kids. He finally was able to integrate his own life into a beautiful
holistic lifestyle.
|
 THE
MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON
His mother, more than anyone else in his life, had the greatest
influence. She is the one who gives him the instruction that totally
informs his entire life. She became the guiding light in his dark
world. Any of us would be blessed with such a mom as this. To be
like her —to be there for others— is an awesome and
beautiful thing.
The film is one of the best I have seen this year. It is about hope
for the complete integration of life in all areas —an awesome
and beautiful thing.
|
 Review
by CHRIS UTLEY
There
haven’t been too many biographical films (or “biopics”)
about African American historical figures or entertainers that have
made it to the big screen. The two most recent that stand out in my
mind are Michael Mann’s Ali and Spike
Lee’s Malcolm X. Ray outshines them by leaps and bounds.
Review
continued here |
|
 Review
by KEVIN MILLER
I
saw this film 1.5 times this weekend. That’s because about
one hour and twenty minutes into the first screening, the power
went out. I was pretty disappointed as I drove home through the
blacked-out city. Up to that point, I had been thoroughly enjoying
what was looking like an Oscar-worthy motion picture. Now I had
to wait 24 hours before I could see how it ended. Turns out I probably
should have quit while I was ahead.
Review
continued here
|
|
|
 Review by MARK EZRA STOKES
One thing I’ve never been able to understand is the idea of segregation–an idea practiced in my neck of the woods during much of the 20th century. The thought of passing someone on the street and not making eye contact because of the surplus or deficit of skin pigment is something I just can’t grasp.
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