Ray

For Ray Charles Robinson, versatility and first-rate musicianship were the sole means of musicianship for a man who had to live the majority of his life without sight. Following in the words of his independent thinking mother, who scolded him upon becoming blind a age seven - "don’t anybody let you become a cripple."

Ray, directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Jamie Foxx brings to the big screen the life story of Ray Charles, who fought his disability to mingle his soul-drenched voice with southern gospel, and jazz inklings atop courageous showmanship. Although initially labeled a mere mimic of his idols - Nat King Cole and Charles Brown – Ray revisits Charles developing a voice of his own, while becoming a world-wide recording sensation.

Foxx, who broke big in dramatics with his role as Drew "Bundini" Browin in Ali a few years ago, is already this year’s Oscar favorite for Male Actor in this challenging role. The former In Living Color comedic guy, transforms Charles’ mannerisms and speech right out of a walking wax museum, while adding his own sharp piano chops to the equation. Splendidly playing two sides of Charles, both the heroin user/womanizing cheater and joyous stage performer, Foxx through the course of the film, proves Charles’ life was not all "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning." All smiles on stage, Charles proved to be a shrewd businessman and aggressive liver of life. Never allowing anyone to mess with him, Charles even mandated to be paid in singles to avoid being scammed. Although the star couldn’t trust very many people, it was the people show had helped Charles the most in his life, that later found out that even Charles himself could not be trusted.

A majority of Ray showcases Charles rise with Atlantic records in the late 50’s and early 60’s, later signing to ABC, and releasing the landmark - Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music. Fusing gospel with R &B made Charles a pioneer in his time, but also sparked controversy labeled a sinner. In Charles’ mind, his other sins of heroin addiction, affairs and neglecting his son were hard to face until later in life. The battles with heroin are largely documented, culminating with his withdrawal attacks in rehab, leading to some intense portrayal of the drug’s addictive hold.

Ray sports plenty of memorable music, from a recreation of the eternal "Georgia On My Mind" recording sessions to endless shots of hip 50/60's clubs, where seeing a piano wiz with a full-orchestrated band in a small confine a was pure hip delight in its day. Experiencing the sounds of the film in a state of the art theater sound system will only help enhance the legend of Charles and might nudge you to pick up one of his albums.

More of the story line time could have spent more time tracking Charles’ early years, while just learning to play and sing. The movie begins when he’s already a honed musician – leaving out some of the important years of his life. Just how did he get that voice anyhow? Still, Ray shows that the 50’s and 60’s established Charles as a model for blues, country and pop standards that remain true today, as in his recent Genius Loves Company album. Although Charles suddenly passed away last June, you can be sure Ray himself would have given this flick a thumbs up - from just sound and feel alone.