Ray

PG-13

Released Oct 29, 2004

2 hr. 35 min.

Biography

History

Drama

Music

List

79%

205 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Legendary soul musician Ray Charles is portrayed by Jamie Foxx in this Oscar-winning biopic. Young Ray watches his 7-year-old brother drown at age seven. When he loses his sight at the age of 9, his hardworking mother (Sharon Warren) urges him not to feel sorry for himself. He rises through the ranks of the Seattle jazz scene, struggling with drug addiction and infidelity while on the road. Supported by his wife (Kerry Washington), Ray Charles redefines soul music and inspires a generation.

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Critics Consensus

An engrossing and energetic portrait of a great musician's achievements and foibles, Ray is anchored by Jamie Foxx's stunning performance as Ray Charles.

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Sean D

Totally miss when biopics were more like this , and weren't afraid to show some of the nitty gritty stuff aswel as their rise to superstardom. Great film, and flawless performance by Jamie Fox 🏆

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

Full Review

Tyler S

Just like many other biopics I've seen, this was another really solid one. Really enjoyed Jamie Foxx's portrayal here, he nailed it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

Full Review

Jonathan G

Definitely one of the best biopics of all time, "Ray" gives us possibly the BEST Jamie Foxx role, as well as amazing performances from Kerry Washington, Bokeem Woodbine, Regina King and Harry Lennox. This is shot pretty great, and the cinematography was as well. As riveting as it is outright amazing, and Foxx was definitely the most deserving of that Oscar.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/24

Full Review

Elizabeth M

this movie was brilliant. it truly shows the trouble of an African American blind man in the early and mid 1900's. it shows the heartache, the love, the up's and downs of being a musician. would 100% recommend, however HUGE tearjerker.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

Full Review

Slobodan D

Absolutely amazing ..One of the few i rewatch every year..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/24

Full Review

Gareth v

A rather conventional biopic of an extrordinary musician, that gets lifted to the next level by the casting of Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

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Taylor Hackford

Director

Jamie Foxx

Ray Charles

Kerry Washington

Della Bea Robinson

Regina King

Margie Hendricks

Clifton Powell

Jeff Brown

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Mary Ann Fisher

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Ray: Official Clip - A Wake Up Call

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Ray: Official Clip - No More Segregation

1:46

Ray: Official Clip - It's Starting to Show

1:41

Ray: Official Clip - A Better Deal

1:32

Ray: Official Clip - Drunk at a Recording Session

2:12

Ray: Official Clip - I Might Be Blind, But I Ain't Stupid

2:18

Ray: Official Clip - Impromptu Audition

2:20

Ray: Official Clip - A Healing Flashback

2:36

Ray: Official Clip - Hummingbirds

1:57

Ray: Official Clip - The Raelettes

1:20

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Excellent portrayal of extraordinary musician.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Ray is filled with such pleasures, but it's hobbled by the too-familiar conventions of the musical biopic: with so many chapters of Charles's life to cover, Hackford's movie never finds a rhythm, a groove, to settle into.

Nov 1, 2007

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 4/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s an inspired performance that creates a complex character out of the pop music legend.

Apr 6, 2024

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Overall, ... the filmmakers have taken the line of least resistance, fashioning a familiar, 'inspirational' American tale about a man who overcomes personal trauma and experiences individual success. There's little richness in that.

Feb 15, 2021

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

The soul-stirring sounds of music legend Ray Charles keep saving the day for this straightforward, safe-bet biopic.

Rated: 3/5

May 12, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Legendary soul musician Ray Charles is portrayed by Jamie Foxx in this Oscar-winning biopic. Young Ray watches his 7-year-old brother drown at age seven. When he loses his sight at the age of 9, his hardworking mother (Sharon Warren) urges him not to feel sorry for himself. He rises through the ranks of the Seattle jazz scene, struggling with drug addiction and infidelity while on the road. Supported by his wife (Kerry Washington), Ray Charles redefines soul music and inspires a generation.

Director: Taylor Hackford
Screenwriter: Robert Eisele, James L. White
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Crusader Entertainment LLC, Unchain My Heart Louisiana
Rating: PG-13 (Sexuality|Drug Addiction|Some Thematic Elements)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 29, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $75.3M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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