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October 28, 2004
Anchorage Press review of RAY
It was always apparent to viewers of “In Living Color” that Jim Carrey had the potential to be a major comedy star, but who would have thought Jamie Foxx would one day be the odds-on favorite to win an Oscar? In “Ray”, he achieves the monumentally difficult challenge of becoming legendary soul man Ray Charles (ne Robinson). Playing a real person in a biopic is tough enough, but one as ubiquitous as Ray? With some coaching from the real Ray Charles, who lived long enough to see a rough cut of the film, Foxx completely disappears into the role, embodying the great man so much so that one instantly forgets it’s Foxx up there. He plays the piano himself, and even sings some of the songs -- distinguishing between the lip-synched numbers and the live ones is nigh impossible.
Foxx’s performance makes the movie compelling, but most everything else about is by the numbers, with your standard childhood trauma, first big break when the usual headliner at a given venue suddenly becomes unable to perform at the last minute, first true love, fame and fortune, drugs, tearful fights with the wife, and let us never forget the obligatory scene in which a table gets overturned as a demonstration of irrational anger (does “anyone” do that in real life?). There’s also a running subplot, related to the childhood trauma, in which Ray occasionally imagines himself immersed in flowing water. Those scenes are silly and pretentious; the point is sufficiently made later, and the flick’s over two hours long.
Clifton Powell and Bokeem Woodbine are solid as Ray’s bandmates, and Curtis Armstrong and Warwick Davis turn up in some rather unexpected places. Still, it’s Foxx’s show all the way, and when it comes to the Oscar for Best Actor...(yeah I know it’s kinda lame to say this, but it’s true) he’s the right one, baby, uh-huh!
Posted by LYT at October 28, 2004 10:04 PM [Message Board]
Comments
Ray Charles lived long enough to "see" the film... I know it's a bit silly, but I can't help but giggle every time that's mentioned anywhere. I have never liked Jamie Foxx's dramatic acting attempts previously, so I hope he really is even half as good as they say. I was disappointed when I heard he was cast, because I've been wanting to see this movie for a long, long time and was afraid he'd really muck it up. (And to answer your question... yes, people do overturn tables out of irrational reactions... I did it when I heard he was cast). Anyway, good for him, for trying to do something different. I really do hope he's good in the film and that it brings him other opportunities to do good work.
Okay, regardless of anything... any movie that gives you an excuse to do a Pepsi Commercial joke is fine by me.
Posted by: Jaye at October 29, 2004 2:25 AM
Damn, that does sound silly now that I think about it...dunno how else you'd put it, though. I guess I should've said "sit through" the film.
Posted by: LYT at October 29, 2004 9:14 AM
Man, the story was good, the supporting cast was great and Foxx himself was phenomenal as the enigmatic Ray Charles. Foxx has come a long way from the WB, but I always thought from way back to Any Given Sunday that he had the potential to become one of the great actors of our generation. It might sound like a stretch of the imagination to some, but take a look at this film and you won't be able to do anything but smile and maybe even bob your head in agreement.
Posted by: Nikki at October 30, 2004 7:47 AM