Ray

11/1/2004

Ray stars Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles, Kerry Washington as Della Bea Robinson, Regina King as Margie Hendricks, Clifton Powell as Jeff Brown, Harry J. Lennix as Joe Adams, Bokeem Woodbine as Fathead Newman, Aunjanue Ellis as Mary Ann Fisher, Sharon Warren as Aretha Robinson, C.J. Sanders as Young Ray Robinson, Curtis Armstrong as Ahmet Ertegun, Richard Schiff as Jerry Wexler, Larenz Tate as Quincy Jones, Terrence Dashon Howard as Gossie McKee, David Krumholtz as Milt Shaw, Wendell Pierce as Wilbur Brassfield, Chris Thomas King as Lowell Fulsom, Thomas Jefferson Byrd as Jimmy, Rick Gomez as Tom Dowd, Denise Dowse as Marlene, Warwick Davis as Oberon, Patrick Bauchau as Dr. Hacker, Robert Wisdom as Jack Lauderdale, Kurt Fuller as Sam Clark, Julian Bond as Himself, Kimberly Ardison as Ethel McRae, Renee Wilson as Pat Lyle, Willie Metcalf as Mr. Pitt, Mike Pniewski as Bus Driver, and Terrone Bell as Young George Robinson.

Ray is the story of one of the greatest entertainers in the world, Ray Charles. (If you don't know that, this movie is not for you.) For the rest of us, Ray gives us an insight into the tragic life of Ray Charles Robinson. We are shown his boyhood life through flashbacks. His mother, his brother, and his living situation all comprise the man and his music. The film uses his music as the center to his life. The music is great! It is like going to a Ray Charles' concert with the added attraction of seeing his life unfold.

Ray is an emotional trip for the viewer, bring your handkerchief. The film is well made and the acting is superb, except for some of the child actors. (that is to be expected for young children in a very dramatic role) I loved the film. It is a must see for the Ray Charles fan.

I give it 4 out of 5 Hummingbirds:

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