Ray (2004)
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A sprawling biographical drama follows the rise of soul musician Ray Charles as he navigates fame, addiction, and the complexities of his personal life.
The story
Ray Charles Robinson is raised in poverty in Florida and loses his vision by age seven. After being sent to a school for the deaf and blind, he begins his musical journey, initially performing in a white country band. By 1946, he is performing in a nightclub in Seattle, where he faces exploitation and eventually signs his own record deal. As he rises to fame on the Chitlin' Circuit, he is introduced to heroin. The film follows his journey as he finds success with hits like 'I Got a Woman' while navigating a complicated personal life and a growing struggle with substance abuse.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film depicts the life of Ray Charles from his childhood in Florida to his status as a global icon. After losing his sight at age seven, Ray is taught to be independent by his mother. His career begins in the mid-1940s, leading to his discovery by Atlantic Records. He marries Della Bea, but his career is complicated by his burgeoning heroin addiction and a scandalous affair with his backing singer, Margie Hendricks. The narrative follows his musical evolution through the 1950s and 60s, including his transition to electric piano and his involvement in civil rights issues. After several arrests for drug possession and a stint in rehabilitation, Ray eventually overcomes his addiction by 1979. The film concludes with his recognition as a legendary artist, including the naming of 'Georgia on My Mind' as a state song, while the narrative reflects on his enduring legacy in music.
- First release year
- 2004
- Runtime (minutes)
- 152
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Taylor Hackford
- Writers
- James L. White · screenplay; Taylor Hackford · story; James L. White · story
- Cast and characters
- Jamie Foxx · Ray Charles Robinson; Kerry Washington · Della Bea Robinson; Clifton Powell · Jeff Brown; Harry Lennix · Joe Adams; Terrence Howard · Gossie McKee; Larenz Tate · Quincy Jones; Richard Schiff · Jerry Wexler; Regina King · Margie Hendricks
- Genres
- biographical drama; musical
- Themes
- addiction; overcoming adversity; racial barriers; fame
- Tone and mood
- dramatic; inspiring
- Setting
- Various locations in the United States (Florida, Seattle, Houston, Los Angeles, etc.) from the 1930s to 2004.
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; musical; drug addiction; blindness
- Source material / true-story basis
- Based on true events
- Content notes
- drug addiction; sexuality
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics, particularly praising Jamie Foxx's performance, and was a box office success.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 79% · scale: percentage · review count: 206; Metacritic · score: 73 · scale: 100 · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Actor · win; Academy Award · Best Sound Mixing · win; Academy Award · Best Picture · nomination; Golden Globe · Best Actor · win; BAFTA · Best Actor · win; Screen Actors Guild · Best Actor · win; Critics' Choice · Best Actor · win
- Production trivia
- The film took 15 years to secure financing.; Jamie Foxx performed much of the film blind using prosthetics.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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