RAY

Ray: Talyor Hackford 2004

Yes I know. This review is a little bit late in coming, but I didn't actually get around to seeing the film until a few days ago so what can I do?

Honestly I debated writing a review for this film because I'm not sure how much I have to say.

By this point most people should know that the film is a biopic on the life of Ray Charles, although it actually focuses mainly on his early career and summarizes his mid and late life at the end of the movie.

As a biopic it has all the standard trappings of a film that would fall into this category. The film follows Ray's struggle to achieve his goals, in this case making it in the music industry, while intercutting to formative moments from his childhood. Once Ray makes it big he deals with the typical issues that come from fame and celebrity. You watch as he faces complications and issues until ultimately he overcomes these leading to the final resolution of the film and the previously mentioned summarizing of the rest of his career and life.

While most of the film was pretty standard fare, I was surprised by what an honest look the film takes at the life of Ray. There are not many punches held back in regards to his drug abuse and womanizing. Unfortunately the director chose to view these not on their own but framed by the contextual surroundings of Ray's life leading to a sympathetic and almost apoligetic view of what amounts to some pretty horrendous moments of Ray's life. That being said I don't think this ultimately overwhelms the film, it just lowers it a notch or two from what it could have been.

Jamie Foxx was heaped with accolades for his performance of Ray and this is not completely without merit. Foxx turns in an excellent performance and it was obvious he did some careful research before portraying Ray Charles. Still, I feel the amount of praise is somewhat overblown and unwarranted because ultimately the role is fairly simple. One has to wonder if Jim Carrey is still cursing the academy for nominating Foxx while his brilliant, and much more difficult portrayel of Andy Kaufman and his alter-ego was completely ignored.

In closing, the film is definitely entertaining and even informative about the life and character of Ray Charles. I'd recommend it highly as a good rental, but I still feel the Oscar recognition was unwarranted.

** two stars.