Vibe.com, December 3rd, 2004
Unlike Will Smith as Ali, Foxx does more than just mimic Ray Charles, he inhabits him. Director Taylor Hackford and Foxx capture so many of Charles' nuances, that many moments of the film seem more like a documentary rather than a biopic with actors. Once Foxx puts on Charles' signature dark shades, all traces of the comedian disappear.
The film opens in 1951, with a young Ray landing at a Seattle jazz club and meeting an even younger Quincy Jones (portrayed by a non-convincing Larenz Tate). A major portion of the movie focuses on Ray's rise from lounge singer, to the blues icon he becomes later in life. On the road to superstardom he falls in love multiple times (with the aptly cast Kerry Washington and Regina King), battles an intense heroin addiction, pisses off church folk by mixing gospel with contemporary music and he's even banned from the state of Georgia for participating in the Civil Rights movement. Meanwhile this all occurs while managing to crank out numerous hit records.
Foxx, who was approved for the role by Ray Charles, has no problem pulling off the vulnerability and buoyancy of the blues icon. "The first thing he said was, 'Let me check out those fingers," Foxx states, recalling his first meeting with the legend. "He's like, 'Oh yeah, you got strong fingers." Luckily for Charles, Jamie's acting chops are as strong as his fingers.
Compelling, informative and exceptionally riveting the films only misstep is clocking in at two and a half hours. Unlike other recently released biopics, Ray's stellar acting and exceptional soundtrack detours the film from playing like a Sunday Night TV Movie.
