If only the movie contained half as much life as Foxx, it would be something truly remarkable -- a movie with soul, rather than one merely about it.
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10/29/04
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Ray (2004)
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Reviews Counted:190
Fresh:155
Rotten:35
Average Rating:7.3/10
Consensus: Critics can't stop loving Jamie Foxx's performance in Ray, which is being hailed as an engrossing and energetic take on Charles' achievements and demons.
Theatrical Release:Oct 29, 2004 Wide
Box Office: $75,236,415
Synopsis: Ray is the never-before-told, musical biographical drama of American legend Ray Charles. Featuring a remarkable performance from Jamie Foxx in the central role, Ray follows the inspiring story of a... [More]
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Curtis Armstrong
Director: Taylor Hackford
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Reviews for Ray
It takes all of five seconds, tops, to believe that Jamie Foxx is the young Ray Charles.
10/29/04
Top CriticRay has the sound, drive, heat and wallop of Ray Charles.
10/29/04
Let's just give him his Oscar now and be done with it.
10/29/04
Though Ray clocks in at 152 minutes, I wouldn't cut a frame; it's a big, bountiful, beautifully mounted biopic about a giant of American music.
10/29/04
Any viewers who look at Ray and see only clichés are declaring themselves hopelessly lost to the real achievement of this picture, which is nothing less than a statement of faith in the inclusiveness of American culture.
10/29/04
Foxx delivers one of those uncanny impersonation/performance/channeling deals that musical bios tend to inspire in actors (Gary Busey as Buddy Holly, Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison), abetted by Foxx's natural gifts as a piano player and stage performer.
10/29/04
Foxx helps us to truly understand how much Charles' blindness allows him to achieve, especially when combined with an innate wiliness.
10/29/04
You may be so pleasantly swept up in the performances and the music that Ray will send you out of the theater singing and smiling.
10/29/04
Foxx's performance is an absolute career-maker, and he's surrounded by fine actors. By amazing music, too.
10/29/04
Top CriticJamie Foxx should start clearing some space on his mantle -- his extraordinary, transcendent performance as music legend Ray Charles in the exuberant Ray is the one to beat for Best Actor come Oscar night.
10/29/04
Top CriticIt is in Ray's many music sequences that Hackford's direction is most confident.
10/29/04
Top CriticLike a greatest-hits compilation, Ray's reach is wide, not deep, serving up a smattering of influences, events and personalities that helped shape Charles ...
10/29/04
Foxx manages to win the tug-of-war with the melodramatic material, giving a tour-de-force performance.
10/29/04
The movie -- two hours and 25 minutes long and, by the end, you feel every minute of it -- completely falls apart in the third act.
10/29/04
Ray may not be a great movie, but it features a great performance and unquestionably great music. That's more than enough reason to spend some time with the man in the sunglasses.
10/29/04
What makes Foxx's performance so remarkable is that he doesn't just get into the skin of this music icon, but into the man's very soul.
10/29/04
What can Ray tell us about such a familiar figure? A Lot.
10/29/04
Top CriticThe music is inspired and the cast terrifically committed, but Ray is still a long way from being a good movie.
10/29/04
Top CriticDirector Taylor Hackford hits most of the right notes in exposing both Charles' enormous talents and foibles.
10/29/04
Latest News for Ray
October 07, 2009:
Jamie Foxx Plans Mike Tyson Biopic 
Does one good biopic deserve another? "Ray" star Jamie Foxx wants to reunite with director Taylor Hackford for a look at the life and times of Mike Tyson. More...
October 15, 2007:
Mirren and Pesci Saddling Up at Hackford's Love Ranch
Helen Mirren, Joe Pesci, and Taylor Hackford are headed to the Love Ranch. More...
December 29, 2006:
Kasdan, Apatow & John C. Reilly to Introduce "Dewey Cox"
How many musician-centric biopics do you have to sit through before you start clamoring for a nice juicy parody of the sub-genre? Well, one's on it's way, courtesy of director... More...
December 08, 2006:
The Weekly Ketchup: "Spider-Man 3" Teasers, "Pirates 3" Pics And Rumors, "Transformers" Images, And More!
In this week's Ketchup, we just can't get enough of those tidbits from the upcoming third installments of "Spider-Man" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the... More...
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