Ray (2004)

My Review

Jamie Foxx’s masterful performance as legendary singer Ray Charles (1930-2004) is a true tour de force, earning him the Oscar for Best Actor in “Ray.” Director Taylor Hackford (“An Officer and a Gentleman” 1982) covered Ray’s entire life including his childhood in poverty in Georgia, becoming blind at age 7, his rise to a soul music superstar, his battle with drug addiction, his two marriages and 12 children with ten different women, and more. The excellent screenplay was written by James L. White.

The supporting cast includes Kerry Washington, Richard Schiff, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Harry Lennix, Terrence Howard, and Larenz Tate as Quincy Jones. The musical score was written by Jack Nitzsche, with Foxx lip-syncing to Ray Charles original recordings. The very watchable “Ray” was a big hit at the box office for Bristol Bay Productions, Anvil Films, Baldwin Entertainment Group, and Universal Pictures.

It received six Academy Award nominations, winning two: Best Actor (Foxx) and Best Sound Mixing. Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing. (Jamie Foxx was also nominated that year for Best Supporting Actor for “Collateral.”) It was filmed primarily in Louisiana, with some scenes shot in Los Angeles.