Rated PG-13(For depiction of drug addiction, sexuality and some thematic elements)
Directed by Taylor Hackford (Dolores Claiborne, Against All Odds, An Officer and a Gentleman)
Starring Jamie Foxx
As I write this review, we still do not know who will win or even be nominated for best actor in 2004. I can only hope that Jamie Foxx is awarded it . . . not many would deny that he deserves it.
2004 is a great year for Foxx. First, he surprised me in Collateral with a realistic performance of an ordinary cab driver, thrust in an extra-ordinary situation. (Click here for my review of Collateral). And now he knocks the ball out of the park portraying Ray Charles in the powerful film Ray.
Ray is the true story of Ray Charles. The real Ray Charles worked with Jamie Foxx on the film and “heard” a “work in progress” of the film before his death. He was extremely pleased with what Jamie had done with the role.
The film starts with Ray as a young boy with perfect sight. The story doesn’t spare any of the embarrassing addictions that Ray had or the costly consequences that resulted from them. Yet in the midst of tragedy and pain, Foxx’s Ray still makes you laugh and smile between tears.
I saw the movie in a Central Station movie theatre in Downtown Washington D.C. I was one of the few white people in the theatre. Audience reaction was incredible. I was shrinking in my seat during several scenes of racial oppression in the 60’s—shameful acts that I wish never happened. The film tackled them nobly. My tears were in good company in the theatre that day.
I highly recommend this film. The film was more than just a biography of an unbelievably talented man. . . it was a convincing glimpse at recent American History.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Nope- not for the youngin's. I recommend showing it to teenagers however. The film doesn’t glorify bad decisions. You clearly see Ray make bad decisions, and you immediately see the consequences. You’ll empathize with him. And there are several moments that the film could have done the proverbial nudity or sex scenes . . . and it refrained. Additionally, the film doesn’t use a lot of profanity. Jump on to www.screenit.com for a closer look and use your own discretion.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
