Ray (2004)

The story of the life and career of the legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom during the 1950s and 1960s.

Director:

Taylor Hackford

Writers:

Taylor Hackford (story), James L. White (story)

Stars:

Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington

Won 2 Oscars. Another 52 wins & 51 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jamie Foxx	...	Ray Charles
Kerry Washington	...	Della Bea Robinson
Regina King	...	Margie Hendricks
Clifton Powell	...	Jeff Brown
Harry Lennix	...	Joe Adams
Bokeem Woodbine	...	Fathead Newman
Aunjanue Ellis	...	Mary Ann Fisher
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 (as Terrence Dashon Howard)
David Krumholtz	...	Milt Shaw
Wendell Pierce	...	Wilbur Brassfield

Storyline

The story of Ray Charles, music legend. Told in his adult live with flashbacks to his youth we see his humble origins in Florida, his turbulent childhood which included losing his brother and then his sight, his rise as pianist in a touring band, his writing his own songs and running his own band and then stardom. Also includes his addiction to drugs and its affect on his working life and family life.

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Plot Keywords:

rhythm and blues | singer | 1960s | 1950s | racism | 

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Taglines:

The extraordinary life story of Ray Charles.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for depiction of drug addiction, sexuality and some thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

UIP [France] Universal [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story

Filming Locations:

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$20,039,730 (USA) (29 October 2004)

Gross:

$75,305,995 (USA) (11 March 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Bristol Bay Productions, Anvil Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

152 min 178 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director of Photography Pawel Edelman, being a fan of Ray Charles, was the very first crew member to join the project by committing to it a year before start of shooting. Taylor Hackford wanted to work with him in Proof of Life (2000) but Edelman was unavailable at that time.

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Goofs

In the opening credits we hear Ray playing a Wurlitzer Electric Piano (later mentioned and shown in the film) but we see a close up of a Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, which sounds very different.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Aretha Robinson: Always remember your promise to me. Never let nobody or nothing turn you into no cripple.

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Crazy Credits

The final shot of the movie contains a freeze frame of the real Ray Charles and underneath it reads the caption: "Ray Charles Robinson = 1930 - 2004"

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Connections

Referenced in Jarhead Diaries (2006)

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Soundtracks

Roll with My Baby
Written by Sam Sweet
Performed by Ray Charles
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing

User Reviews

What a spectacular movie!

This is one of the best movies I have seen in years. I took me to a new time and place. It was as though I was right there with Ray through his many trials and triumphs. Jamie Foxx transformed himself into Ray. During the movie he was Ray. Also, Kerry Washington, Sharon Robinson and Regina King were superb. The movie was well cast and directed, the music was fantastic.

I've seen the movie four (4) times with different people and the last time was just as enjoyable as the first time. I will buy the DVD as soon as it is released. This is a movie that will viewed over and over for years to come.

Thank you for a great experience.