Ray Charles: Born September 23, 1930, died June 10, 2004. “Ray” is a heartfelt musical based on the life of the King of Rhythm and Blues and Jazz music, Ray Charles. The film follows the life of Charles (played by Jamie Foxx) from 1930 to 1966. Throughout the film there are numerous flash-backs of Charles as a kid slowly losing his eyesight and the hard-ships that he had to overcome.

There was a very symbolic scene where little Charles is running and trips on the leg of a chair and cries for his mother. His mother is watching him struggle because she wants him to learn how to deal with his blindness for himself. He slowly gets up and begins to hear things. He hears the wind blowing through the grass, a horse pulling a wagon, even a grasshopper on the floor. His mother cries in joy as she witnessed her son take his first step into greatness.

“Ray” chronicles a period in Charles’ life where he goes from being banned in the segregated South to becoming one of the highest paid musicians.

Foxx gives the performance of a lifetime in this film. Not so much the singing but the physical movements attributed to Charles. I would have never guessed Foxx could play such a dramatic role, but after “Ray” I have a change of heart. This should earn Foxx at least an Oscar nomination

We see a man who overcame odds and made history. We see Ray Charles not as a musical God but a man who is prone to certain things just like any of us.

Ray Charles was a father, brother, son, husband, musician addict, womanizer, etc. But he saw the world through a different light. Whenever I watch a true story film, I always wonder if the actual person saw it or has seen it. Blind or not, Ray Charles doesn’t have to see this film. He lived it.