Awesome. Invigorating.Heartbreaking. These are just a few adjectives that capture the essence of”Ray” from beginning to the end. The much-anticipated autobiographical filmstarring Jamie Foxx (Ali, Any Given Sunday) as Ray Charles, hit the box officelast Friday.
The film depicts thenever-before-told story of the trials and tribulations that Ray Charles had toencounter throughout his lifetime. Director Taylor Heckford put together anoutstanding cast that will have you in tears one minute and in awe the next.
Foxx was extraordinary in thismovie. To sum it up… he needs to prepare his Oscar speech right away. He tookthe role of Ray Charles and made it his own.
C.J. Sanders, the son of former NFLwide receiver Chris Sanders made his extraordinary acting debut as young RayRobinson (Charles). Sanders’ character allows you to see and relate the vividimage in your head of Charles growing up dealing with matters of death andtriumph at such a young age. Sanders, despite his young age, set the bar forevery actor and actress in the movie to meet and surpass.
Kerry Washington (Save the LastDance, She Hate Me) plays Della Bea Robinson, Charles’ wife. Washington, anactress who is known for her small roles in big films, should get ready to addher name to Hollywood’s up-and-coming A-list. Regina King (A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Enemy of theState) plays the role of Margie Hendricks, one of Ray’s many girlfriends and amember of his backup singers, the Raylettes. King, someone who is not new tothe acting business also delivered a delightful performance. “Ray” also starsLarenz Tate as Quincy Jones; Bokeem Woodbine as David Newman, a long-timefriend and one of Charles’ saxophone players; and Sharon Warren, Charles’mother; and a host of other outstanding actors and actresses.
All in all, the performersthroughout this movie did a superb job at depicting the life story of RayCharles, an innovator and an icon of the 20th century.