RayThe structure of the feature is similar to any other biography, so there is no element of surprise and addition to that, another major conundrum is the overlong runtime, ticking for more than 150 minutes. James L. White's screenplay is smart yet somehow fails to keep the audience engaged into it despite of having some high pitched dramatic sequences. Taylor Hackford has done an amazing work on executing the script and the characters onto the screen and create something colossal out of it with the help of amazing cinematography and fine editing. The performance is where the feature steals the show and the heart of it lies with Jamie Foxx who is supported by a great cast like Karee Washington and Regina King. Ray is a character driven feature that shouts out the affection that makers had for Ray which is what helps it work like a charm.

Story presented in the movie Ray was extremely mesmerizing and beautiful. The soundtrack was the only and one as Ray Charles music is. As I realize that movie was created in 2004 and such an unbelievable quality in cinematography that just fascinate me. It is always cool to remember such the artist after Ray left this World 13 years ago.

Generally a very good biopic of a truly gifted artist. The cinematography, locations, lighting and costumes are lush. Even the grotty hotels are richly-lit and full of character. Charles's childhood in Florida, seen in flashback, comes across as a bit of a movie set, but it does clearly put across how very young, but strong and determined his mother, Aretha, was. Even when Ray goes blind at age 7, she urges him to never be "a cripple" - to think of himself as a worthy person and strive to make his way in the world. She only sends him off to boarding school from a passionate belief that education is the key to his success. And she was right. With acute hearing and memory, he could get around without a cane or a guide dog. Still, when he travels right across the US to Seattle to join a band, you get the sense of how very brave he was. Fortunately, that amazing talent was a force to be reckoned with. Jamie Foxx is the perfect actor to play Charles - convincing in every way. Of course a big highlight is that muscly soul music. I most enjoyed the live concert scenes, big and small, where the audience and the musicians feed off each other, everyone having a wonderful time. The drug use and the womanizing are given ample screen time, but the characters involved are always depicted as human, i.e. very flawed, rather than evil. Overall, Ray Charles triumphed in life. His mother would be very proud.

Making the most out of ones situation. But also acknowledging the talent one has and being able to stand up to people trying to take advantage of you. And all that while not being able to see. Ray is a wonderful movie, that is not afraid to go to tough places and ask tough questions. It's also not just glorifying the person/musician many loved and still love for the music he made.No one starts from the top and especially back then, when you consider the color of the skin played a big role. While racism isn't gone and some could argue it resurfaced big again lately, this was made in a time when it seemed far away. Still Taylor Hackford is a great director and he knows how to get powerful performances out of his actors. Great story, great ups and downs and you don't even have to know much to really enjoy this human story ...