Ray (2004/I)

Director:

Taylor Hackford

Writers (WGA):

Taylor Hackford (story) and
James L. White (story) and
James L. White (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Tagline:

The extraordinary life story of Ray Charles. A man who fought harder and went farther than anyone thought possible.

Plot:

The life and career of the legendary popular music pianist, Ray Charles.

Plot Keywords:

Ray Charles | 1960s | Drugs | Singer | Racism

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 38 wins & 37 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

Also Known As:

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

152 min | USA:178 min (extended version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

Taiwan:PG-12 | India:A | Hungary:16 | Iceland:12 | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:(Banned) (theatrical) | Malaysia:U (DVD) | Sweden:11 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Chile:TE | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15 | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Company:

Anvil Films

Trivia:

The woman portrayed as Ray's wife in the film, Della Bea, was actually his second wife. Ray's first marriage was to Eileen Williams in 1951. They had one child and divorced in 1952.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: At the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival scene, Quincy Jones is wearing "Ray Bans" sunglasses bearing the familiar Ray Bans logo, introduced in 1990, on the corner of one of the lenses.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland (2006)

Soundtrack:

Anytime

Raves for Ray!!

First of all, it is sheer joy to hear the legend perform such wonderful and timeless music. This movie and soundtrack is a tour de force. Ray Charles is unique and amazing. I truly adored the film as it was inspiring and entertaining throughout.

Jamie Foxx has become one of the premiere actors in Hollywood as is clearly shown in Ray and he should get an Oscar for this role, it is unprecedented. In fact, everyone who worked on this film should receive accolades. I really liked Kerry Washington who played the exceptional wife...Ray Charles obviously married well. Regina King is a fine actress as well as the extraordinary Sharon Warren who plays a struggling young mother.

In all honesty, I'd say this whole project was providentially arranged. The entire cast was perfect, great screenplay and awesome settings...major props to the director Taylor Hackford and crew for doing such a splendid job in bringing the life of Ray Charles to the screen so flawlessly. This is my picture of the year, certainly one of the best biographical films ever made.