rAy cHaRlEs

rAy cHaRLeS

Ray is the never-before-told, musical biographical drama of American legend Ray Charles. Featuring a remarkable performance from Jamie Foxx in the central role, Ray follows the inspiring story of a one-of-a-kind genius.

Born in a poor town in Georgia, Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's accidental death. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own way in the world, Charles 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 incorporating gospel, country, jazz and orchestral influences into his inimitable style. As he revolutionized the way people appreciated music, he simultaneously fought segregation in the very clubs that launched him and championed artists' rights within the corporate music business. Ray provides an unflinching portrait of Charles' musical genius as he overcomes drug addiction while transforming into one of this country's most beloved performer. (Quote from Universal Pictures)

There is the blackness and the blindness. There was the extreme poverty; there was the segregated South into which he was born. I like films/ books whose themes revolve around racial discrimnation, for eg "To Kill A Mocking Bird", "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry etc. Ray Charles has an admirable character, besides being hooked on drugs during his later years which was the unglamourous part, he fought for the rights for the coloured in the state of Geogia by refusing to perform in front of a segregated audience.

Been a long time since I watched a really good movie. There is great music throughout the show as the audience are brought on the journey of the success of his remarkable career despite being him being coloured and blind in 1950 America. The director also captured the essence of the english spoken by the blacks whom always use double negatives in their speech. For eg" you aint not going to no white man's house". From my studies of E lit, this is quite typical of what coloured people at that period in the Southern States. Hence, I rate this film 8.5 out of a 10 and I recommend to all who have not watched this film.

Do visit the official site of Ray Charles