Ray
Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered coupling gospel and country together.
Critics Sentiment
Ray performs What'd I Say spontaneously when forced to fill time
Ray fires his longtime manager Jeff Brown after Joe Adams' influence
The film peaks during Ray's spontaneous performance of What'd I Say then gradually declines through personal struggles before recovering for the redemptive ending.
Ray maintains consistently strong sentiment throughout, anchored by unanimous praise for Jamie Foxx's transformative performance and the powerful musical sequences. While critics found the biographical framework occasionally formulaic and some personal drama less engaging than the music, the film's authentic recreation of Ray Charles' era and honest portrayal of his flaws earned widespread acclaim. The sentiment arc follows Ray's musical triumphs and personal struggles, peaking during iconic performances while dipping during darker addiction storylines before achieving redemption.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 31
Jamie Foxx
Ray Charles
Kerry Washington
Della Bea Robinson
Regina King
Margie Hendricks
Harry Lennix
Joe Adams
Clifton Powell
Jeff Brown
Bokeem Woodbine
Fathead Newman
Sharon Warren
Aretha Robinson
C.J. Sanders
Young Ray Robinson
Curtis Armstrong
Ahmet Ertegun
Richard Schiff
Jerry Wexler
Larenz Tate
Quincy Jones
Terrence Howard
Gossie McGee
David Krumholtz
Milt Shaw
Wendell Pierce
Wilbur Brassfield
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Mary Ann Fisher
Chris Thomas King
Lowell Fulson
Thomas Jefferson Byrd
Jimmy
Rick Gomez
Tom Dowd
Denise Dowse
Marlene
Warwick Davis
Oberon
Crew
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