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Ray

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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.

Rated: 15 [See Full Rating] for depiction of drug addiction, sexuality and some thematic elements

Runtime: 2 hrs 33 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:21-01-2005

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... 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 one-of-a-kind genius. Born in a poor town in Georgia, Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's accidental death. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own way in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered incorporating gospel, country, jazz and orchestral influences into his inimitable style. As he revolutionized the way people appreciated music, he simultaneously fought segregation in the very clubs that launched him and championed artists' rights within the corporate music business. Ray provides an unflinching portrait of Charles' musical genius as he overcomes drug addiction while transforming into one of this country's most beloved performers. Ray is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Taylor Hackford (An Officer and a Gentleman); screenplay by James L. White, from a story by Hackford and White; and produced by Hackford, Stuart Benjamin, Howard Baldwin and Karen Baldwin. [More]

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Curtis Armstrong

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Curtis Armstrong, Warwick Davis, Clifton Powell, Harry J. Lennix, Terrence DaShon Howard, Larenz Tate, Aunjanue Ellis

Director: Taylor Hackford

Director: Taylor Hackford
Screenwriter: James White, Taylor Hackford
Producer: Howard L. Baldwin, Karen Baldwin
Composer: Craig Armstrong
Producer: Stuart Benjamin
Studio: Universal Pictures

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Ray

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81 - 100 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

features an outstanding performance by Jamie Foxx in the title role, luscious production design and of course, all of that great Ray Charles music.

Full Review Source: Sean the Movie Guy | comment Comment
11/01/04
Sean McBride
Sean McBride
Sean the Movie Guy

With his performance as Ray Charles, [Jamie Foxx] has proven himself worthy of being in the front ranks of contemporary movie actors.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
11/01/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Despite its formulaic filmmaking and redundancies, Ray can be a blast to watch.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
10/31/04
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

Sure, it's the Jamie Foxx breakout role. But the movie around it is so systematically 'inspirational' that it comes perilously close to sabotaging the breakout.

Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
10/31/04
Peter Rainer
Peter Rainer
New York Magazine

Suffers from a few of the same pitfalls all biopics do, but succeeds on the eerily accurate work of Jamie Foxx.

Full Review Source: CinemaBlend.com | comment Comment
10/31/04
Joshua Tyler
Joshua Tyler
CinemaBlend.com

...[a] heartfelt and hauntingly poetic biopic. Hackford’s potent examination of Ray Charles is profoundly revealing and courageous

Full Review Source: Movie Eye | comment Comment
10/31/04
Frank Ochieng
Frank Ochieng
Movie Eye

Ray never misses a beat.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
10/31/04
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Journal News (Westchester, NY) | comment Comment
10/30/04
David Germain
David Germain
Journal News (Westchester, NY)

Foxx, like Will Smith in Ali, has perfected a party trick rather than a performance. Give him some sunglasses, let him rock back and forth, and he does a great Ray Charles.

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
10/29/04
Larry Carroll
Larry Carroll
FilmStew.com

Foxx is terrific and the music is great, but Ray is an overlong, meat and potatoes biopic with a not particularly likable hero

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
10/29/04
Laura Clifford
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews

Foxx does what he's supposed to. He steals his own show.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
10/29/04
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post

To describe Foxx's performance here is to gush, and so gush we will.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
10/29/04
Teresa Wiltz
Teresa Wiltz
Washington Post

When [the music isn't playing], the film seems conventional, unimaginative and stretched out well beyond its ability to sustain narrative momentum.

Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
10/29/04
Arthur Lazere
Arthur Lazere
culturevulture.net

Ultimately, the real reason to see the film is for Foxx's world-caliber performance: He doesn't just impersonate Charles, he actually seems to be channeling him.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
10/29/04
Ethan Alter
Ethan Alter
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Enjoy the music -- and Foxx. They're terrific.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
10/29/04
Paul de Barros
Paul de Barros
Seattle Times

A sometimes wobbly blend of the ordinary and the amazing, Ray is nevertheless entirely engaging because of a remarkable central performance and a smartly lived-up-to promise.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
10/29/04
Geoff Pevere
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star

...although Foxx's performance may go down as one of the best in a biopic ever, I feel as though the film itself will be remembered as good, but not great.

Full Review Source: Supercala.com | comment Comment
10/29/04
John Venable
John Venable
Supercala.com

Jamie Foxx is incredible as musical giant Ray Charles.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
10/29/04
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
10/29/04
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

So provocative, magnetic, supremely cool, and hard-edged was he, that Ray, the movie, could never measure up to the genius himself.

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
10/29/04
Kim Morgan
Kim Morgan
Reel.com
 
 
81 - 100 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
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Latest News for Ray

October 07, 2009: Jamie Foxx Plans Mike Tyson Biopic Opens in new window
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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