Anvil Films, Baldwin Entertainment, Bristol Bay Productions
I'm shocked. I saw a movie about a Black man that starred a Black man who wasn't Denzel Washington or Will Smith. The film is Ray starring Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles and directed by Taylor Hackford who gave us An Officer and a Gentleman, Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll, and the documentary When We Were Kings, about the heavyweight fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
This was one of the finest biographical films I've seen. The acting was superb, led by Jamie Foxx. It helped a lot that there was a natural resemblance to Ray, but beyond that, Jamie had Brother Ray down cold. His kinetic mannerisms while performing Ray's hit songs and the way Ray would get tickled in the middle of a conversation were priceless.
But what really blew me away was the scene where Ray walked home his soon to be wife Della Bea Robinson, outstandingly portrayed by Kerry Washington. Being Ray Charles, of course, he used his famous make-out move where he shook her hand all the way up her arm. She indicated "not at this time." The next camera shot was the back of Ray as he walked away down the street. I'd swear it was Ray Charles. The walk was great, Jamie!
Regina King, who portrayed Margie Hendricks, an original Raelette, turned in another notable performance. She commanded attention whenever she was on screen.
The best nonmusical scene was Ray's mother, Aretha Robinson, not helping her seven-year-old son up from the floor after he tripped over a chair due to his blindness. Sharon Warren, who portrayed Ray's mother, showed us the power and conviction of a woman doing what needed to be done in order for her son to have a chance in this world. I can't wait to see her in her next performance. I hope it's soon.
Best musical scene: I wish I had the pleasure of being there when Sam Cooke was doing his thing or in the studio when Bob Dylan went electric...oh, oh, oh better yet, when Smokey Robinson rehearsed the Temptations on their hit My Girl. Taylor Hackford gave us a sense of what it might have been like to sit in a club and hear for the first time Ray Charles perform What'd I Say. It sent chills down my spine. The authentic touch of Ray singing his fist couple of lyrics into the wrong side of the mike, then turning the mike and delivering "Hey momma with the red dress on…" I will say no more. You'll have to see and hear it for yourself. It was excellent.
The film follows Ray through the 50's and early 60's. There was some time spent looking at what it was like to be a Black entertainer on the road. Homage was paid to Ray who would refuse boldly to play for a segregated audience in Georgia, and was banned from playing in that state for years. It does a credible job in dealing with his womanizing and drug use and showing the impact on family and friends.
What didn't work for me were the flashbacks that were used throughout the film. It interrupted the flow. The best thing about the film, of course was, the voice and the music of Ray Charles. He combined the music from the Black church with the Blues and earned the nick name "The Genius". He was that.
Black actors in films about Black people are rare. Enjoy! This is a good one.
I give this film three stars out of four. I'm T. O. and that my opinion. What's yours?
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