Ray Movie Review: By Adam Mast, ZBoneMan.com

Ray is a new bio-pic about the late (and legendary) musician Ray Robinson aka Ray Charles. Directed by Taylor Hackford (An Officer and a Gentleman and The Devil’s Advocate), the movie soars courtesy of a blistering performance by star Jamie Foxx who, between this and the exceptional Collateral, has had quite the year.

Ray traces Charles’ life to superstardom, but also stops along the way to give us glimpses into his tragiedy-filled childhood (including his going blind at a very early age) ala flashbacks, a look at the various loves of his life, and an ugly peak at a nasty heroin addiction that almost ruined his life. Bust mostly, the film is a celebration of his energetic persona and innovative music.

There really aren’t any words to describe how truly amazing Jamie Foxx is in this movie. Not once did this feel like an impersonation. Foxx does become Mr. Charles in this picture, and even though he doesn’t perform the songs, he’s so convincing, you’ll believe he’s singing them.The look, that swagger, the walk, that distinctive voice. It’s all here. This is a complete physical and psychological transformation, and I was blown away by it. This is, perhaps, the most impressive depiction of a real life musician since Val Kilmer’s explosive (and vastly underrated) turn in Oliver Stone’s The Doors.

Ray is also peppered with some terrific supporting performances including a likable Curtis Armstrong (you may remember him as Booger from Revenge of the Nerds) as an Atlantic Records executive, and Clifton Powell as a sincere tour bus driver who would go on to manage Ray Charles. Sadly, most of the actresses called upon, play helpless victims bewitched by Ray’s charms. Kerry Washington is rather tepid as Della, Ray’s loving wife. She continues to support him and turn the other cheek even though she’s completely aware of his indiscretions and escalating drug problem. She provides Ray with all important words of wisdom towards the end of the film, much the way Adrian does to Rocky. Regina King is effective as one of Ray’s smitten back-up singers. It would have been nice had some of these women been written a little stronger. If anything, Sharon Warren (she plays Ray’s mother) is the only actress in the picture that is allowed to display any sort of real strength. But then it could be argued that this is how it all went down in real life, so who am I to dispute that.

Obviously, Charles had many struggles in his life. Not only was he a black man in racially turbulent times, but he also had to deal with blindness. This bio-pic deals with both of these obstacles without beating them over our heads. Sadly though, the screenplay is surprisingly conventional. There are many aspects that are unflinching, honest and even brutal. Ray Charles wasn’t a saint. He was a flawed man, and the movie isn’t afraid to show that. Through the course of the picture, we are witness to his awful addiction and his numerous affairs, and I must admit, there were several moments in the movie when I found it hard to sympathize with this man. That really took me off guard and I liked it because it was unexpected. I also liked the way the movie allows us to see the relationship that developed between Charles and Atlantic Records. It’s one of my favorite aspects of the movie. Often, we are shown the ugly side of the business, and it was refreshing to see this more gentle side of a record company/ recording artist love affair. Other moments don’t fare as well. The flashback sequences and the moments that lead to them are all too mechanical. I liked Warren’s performance as Ray’s fiery and independent mom, but many of the flashback scenes smacked of over-sentimentality. And the end of the picture is all too abrupt. Ray runs just over two and a half hours, but the end seems rushed. The fashion in which everything is tied together, left me a little unfulfilled.

Director Taylor Hackford has a great eye. He perfectly re-creates the time period and is smart enough to let Ray’s music speak for itself. Above all, he has faith and trust in his lead actor, and this enables the movie to rise above it’s bio-pic conventions.

My introduction to Ray Charles was his high energy cameo in the classic comedy epic The Blues Brothers. He performed the rousing "Shake a Tail Feather," and from that moment I was hooked. Whatever "it" is, he had "it," and it’s unfortunate that he passed away, but at least we have that catalog of outstanding tunes to remind us of what a great talent Mr. Charles was. We also have this movie. While not a masterpiece, it’s still a glorious account of this man’s music and an intriguing look into what it took for him to achieve fame. It’s also a showcase for the truly gifted Foxx, an actor who looks to have one hell of a career ahead of him.

Grade: B+

Adam Mast, ZBoneMan.com