Ray (2 Disc Edition)

It took me a long time to finally get round to watching 'Ray'. The wait was well worth it - this is a terrific biopic - but not just a biopic, this is an outstanding movie on any terms. Whether a fan or not (I wasn't) most everyone will be aware at some level of Ray Charles' music. He's made that big an impact. This movie endeavours to show two periods of his life. The principal part of the movie follows his rise to fame, and corresponding fall into drug use and infidelity, climaxing in his redemption, kicking the habit, and recommitting his lfe as a husband and an entertainer. The second strand is told in flashback, showing Ray as a boy, before and during the process of him becoming blind - explaining (perhaps a little too neatly for some peoples taste) his need to escape into drugs, and how he managed to overcome the constraints of blindness with the help of his mothers tough guidance. His mother is clearly the key character in his life, teaching him firmly but with love how to enhance his sense of hearing and touch in order to compensate for his blindness. His mothers words echo frequently through the movuie when she says, 'Always remember your promise to me. Never let nobody or nothing turn you into no cripple.'. These two tales interweave almost seamlessly, showing not just the facts but the effects on the older man of the younger mans history. As an adult, the cinematography might be beautiful and the tones warm and rich, but Ray the man is shown warts and all - this is a man who used people shamelessly, not least the women in his life, and the movie does not shirk from showing him in those terms. This has the effect of really drawing you in. Instead of a whitewashed version of his life, you feel you are scratching the surface of a person just a little here, and it makes for fascinating viewing because it rings true. Taylor Hackford the director has done an incredible job of creating striking visuals, from the dusty ochre coloured streets of his youth, through to smoky bars, and on to the over the top glitz of LA and swanky nightclubs - all the period settings ring true and are shot to perfection. You can tell this was a labour of love - in fact, Hackford bought the rights to the story back in 1987, but could not find a studio release - it was only after independent financing that Universal studio stepped in to facilitate its release. It must be a matter of some satisfaction to him that Ray Charles was able to see the first edit of the movie before he died, before the movie was actually released. Then there is the acting - much has been said of Jamie Foxx's acting here, and it's all true- he embodies the part in a way which is uncanny - his efforts, going to Braille school, wearing prosthetics which made him blind during shooting, studying Ray Charles himself, have really paid off. However this is a performance made up of more than gimmics and prosthetics, this is the performance of a lifetime, giving the character real depth and depth of reality. Then there is the supporting cast - i cant even name them, because every role in the movie rings ttrue, a credit to the casting and to the actors. All in all, sure there are bound to be more truths to be told about his life, but this will certainly be the best biopic made of his life, and comes at a most fitting time. terrific cast, script, cinematography and direction - a real winner. post script - almost left no room to mention - the 2 disc version comes laden with extras on both the movie and ray - with delted scenes and extended musical scenes. Worth watching, when you think that Jamie Foxx did all the piano playing himself!

Wow. Ray Charles was my hero, I recommend you see this movie just as a reminder of how many hits he had, Mess Around is timeless and amazing What'd I say was performed on the spur of the moment because he finished his show early. Also, the passion with which he and his co-singer/ex lover sing Hit The Road Jack as a sort of bitter recrimination filled duet,but it takes you aback, but more than anything is the extraordinary performance of Jamie Foxx, I wanted to keep rewinding to check it wasn't Ray Charles. JF seemed to get his mannerisms, way of speaking and character perfectly and personally, if you haven't got a lump in your throat during some of the flashbacks, well, you're not human. He was taking heroin basically to escape the pain from blaming himself for his brothers death, but he got off heroin in the end. When he's taken to jail for possession and all the paparazzi swarm into his cell like wasps, you can't help but feel for the man, yes what he was doing was stupid but let's not thrown stones, it just made him all the more human, particularly when you find out why he was doing it. The film also shows the extraordinary humility of the man too, definitely one of my all time favourite movies.

Hanging on a hugely impressive, committed performance as the titular genius by Jamie Foxx, this lightly fictionalised movie of the life of the great Ray Charles manages to avoid some of the usual pitfalls into which sink most Hollywood biopics. A handful of superb actors in the supporting roles helps no end, these including Kerry Washington as his long-suffering wife Bea, and Regina King as on-the-road lover, backing singer and founder of the Raelettes, Margie Hendricks. Both are terrific. Good to see Richard Schiff ~ on leave from The West Wing, and sans beard ~ as producer Jerry Wexler. Interesting also to see our own Warwick Davis in early scenes as a character called Oberon. Sadly, he seems a little uneasy and his American accent is, sorry to say, a fleeting phenomenon. We mostly hear Ray Charles’s inimitable voice singing on the soundtrack, which was wise. But it’s Foxx who elevates Taylor Hackford’s film from the routine to something worthy and, at times, very moving. Seldom has the Oscar ended up in such deserving hands.

I love Ray Charles's music anyway & one day whilst watching TV, I saw this movie & thought I'd give it a go. I've seen most...the Tina Turner story, Beach Boys, Princes' Purple Rain etc. I've got to say that this is probably one of the best real story movies I've ever seen. Jamie Foxx worked very hard to both learn & portray Ray & I believe it pulled it off. A very emotional & moving story of the life of Ray Charles from childhood (1930) all the way to his death in (2004) His childhood, the death of his sibling, the loss of his sight, his music start in life, his addition to what they describe as 'The Junk'....this movie has it all. The music scores are mixed with Jamie Foxx & Ray himself which makes it more authentic I think... A top class movie & I purchased both copies. I also purchased the tribute to Ray Charles DVD as well. 2 perfcet DVD's for both your collection & all Ray Charles fans!

Thorouhly entertaining from start to finish this incredible story of a musical genius, fighting his demons and standing tall in the face of adversity. Everything is brillant about this movie; Fox's acting, the screenplay and not to forget the music. Let it be known that this Ray Limited Edition Digibook(Blu-ray) is a must for any Ray fan/collector worth his salt, with its outstanding presentation which comes in a smooth black hardcover book with satinated paper pages filled with text and illustrations. Superb value and ideal for a Christmas present. I wish we could get more of this...more often. Ray - Limited Edition Digibook [Blu-ray] [2004 ]

This film is a classic that portrays the hardships African American musicians had to go through during the early twentieth century, being blind and talented and poor from a slave culture with hard drugs gave musicians so many obstacles, with exploitative industry the odds were stacked against people like Ray Charles. This is one of my favorite films i would recommend it to any and everyone, it shows so much we are blind of, maybe we are the ones who are blind and Ray can see past that. This film you must see before you die Jamie Foxx does a Stirling job capturing such emotions few can miss, Please watch and rewatch this film.

Bought for the music but great performances, good Saturday night movie

This blu ray version is, to my eyes, absolutely fantastic on a large screen. The DTS Master encoded sound is really punchy and vibrant and a pleasure to listen to. The extras are filled with interesting and useful bits of info about the man himself. Also included in the extra's are full length performances of about 9 music tracks although the sound quality on those tracks seemed to fall off for some reason. Maybe the recording levels were much lower but those tracks lacked something. I'm so pleased they included the full performance version of ''What type of man are you'' Needless to say the acting was superior and heart felt. I don't suppose that a DVD can serve as an accurate or significant biography of his life but this DVD has certainly given me a glimpse into Ray Charles' remarkable life. Highly recommended!