Released Feb
01/05. Jamie Foxx stars in this biopic of legendary soul
and R&B singer Ray Charles. Skillfully edited and with a
keen eye for period detail, the narrative weaves in and
out of the past in an interlocking tapestry of the man's
rise to fame in the 1950s and '60s.
Growing up
poor, black, and blind in the rural south, Charles
learns--under the tutelage of his tough-love mother
(Sharon Warren)--to turn these handicaps into assets. With
this training, Ray eventually plays his way into a major
deal with Paramount records and earns icon status as an
American legend. Along the way, the high cost of fame
leads him to engage in abusive relationships, manipulative
behavior, and struggle with drug and alcohol problems.
This is a dynamite film for the music alone (Charles's
actual recordings are used in the film), but Fox's
career-benchmark performance transcends RAY's biopic
roots, turning this into a piercing, full-on character
study: unflinching, sometimes harrowing, and ultimately
deeply moving. The sheer joy of Charles's music comes
alive in Foxx's movements, and his character matures
convincingly and powerfully. A stellar supporting cast is
on hand to back him up every step of the way, including
Larenz Tate as producer Quincy Jones, and Kerry Washington
as Ray's long-suffering wife, Regina!!
Rating Reason:
For Coarse Language and Substance
Abuse.
Starring: Curtis
Armstrong, Warwick Davis, Aunjanue Ellis, Jamie Foxx,
Terrence Howard, Terrence DaShon Howard, Regina King,
Harry J. Lennix, Clifton Powell, Larenz Tate, Kerry
Washington
Directed By:
Taylor Hackford
Release Information:
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: October 29, 2004
DVD Release Date: February 1, 2005
Run Time: 153 minutes
Production Company: Universal
Package Type: Keep Case with Slip
Sleeve
DVD Features:
Encoding:
Region 1 (U.S.
and Canada only). This DVD will probably NOT
be viewable in other countries.
Aspect Ratio(s):
Widescreen anamorphic -
1.85:1
Available Audio Tracks:
English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround)
French (Dolby
Digital 5.1 Surround)
Languages: English and
French
Available Subtitles: Spanish and French
Closed Captioned:
Yes (English)
Bonus Features:
Includes Theatrical Version Plus Extended Version
with Over Twenty (20) Minutes Additional Footage Not
Shown in Theaters!
Complete Uncut Music Performances From the Movie -
Including Ray & The Raelettes Performing Hit The
Road Jack
Walking In His Shoes - A Revealing Look at
Jamie Foxx's Incredible Transformation into Ray
Charles - Including a Jam Session Between the Actor
and the Legendary Musician Himself!
Ray Remembered - Friends and Fellow
Musicians Remember Ray Charles.
