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Ray

  • 20042004
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 32m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
146K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,922
152
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jamie Foxx in Ray (2004)
In celebration of the 15th anniversary of 'Ray,' we take a look back at Taylor Hackford's Oscar-winning film, starring Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, and Regina King.
Play clip1:01
'Ray' | Anniversary Mashup
5 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Music

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 st... Read allThe 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.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.

IMDb RATING
7.7/10
146K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,922
152
  • Director
    • Taylor Hackford
  • Writers
    • Taylor Hackford(story)
    • James L. White(story)
  • Stars
    • Jamie Foxx
    • Regina King
    • Kerry Washington
Top credits
  • Director
    • Taylor Hackford
  • Writers
    • Taylor Hackford(story)
    • James L. White(story)
  • Stars
    • Jamie Foxx
    • Regina King
    • Kerry Washington
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 483User reviews
    • 132Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 53 wins & 54 nominations total

    Videos5

    'Ray' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:01
    'Ray' | Anniversary Mashup
    IMDbrief: 'Bohemian Rhapsody' & the Top 5 Music Biopics
    Clip 2:15
    IMDbrief: 'Bohemian Rhapsody' & the Top 5 Music Biopics
    The 5 Best Biopics of All Time With O'Shea Jackson Jr.
    Video 3:26
    The 5 Best Biopics of All Time With O'Shea Jackson Jr.
    Which Celebs Almost Played Rock Stars?
    Video 3:59
    Which Celebs Almost Played Rock Stars?
    Regina King on Her Funniest Co-star of All Time
    Video 1:57
    Regina King on Her Funniest Co-star of All Time

    Photos125

    Jamie Foxx in Ray (2004)
    Jamie Foxx in Ray (2004)
    Regina King in Ray (2004)
    Jamie Foxx and Aunjanue Ellis in Ray (2004)
    Jamie Foxx in Ray (2004)
    KERRY WASHINGTON as Della Bea Robinson in the musical  biographical drama, Ray.
    REGINA KING as Margie Hendricks in the musical  biographical drama, Ray.
    Ray Charles (JAMIE FOXX, left) replaces his early manager, Jeff Brown (CLIFTON POWELL, right), with Joe Adams (HARRY LENNIX, center) in the musical  biographical drama, Ray.
    Ray Charles (JAMIE FOXX) is arrested for heroin possession in the musical  biographical drama, Ray.
    Regina King, Renee Wilson, and Kimberly J. Ardison in Ray (2004)
    Jamie Foxx in Ray (2004)
    Ray Charles (JAMIE FOXX) is honored by the State of Georgia (with KERRY WASHINGTON as Della Bea Robinson by his side) as "Georgia on My Mind" is declared the official state song in the musical  biographical drama, Ray.

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jamie Foxx
    Jamie Foxx
    • Ray Charlesas Ray Charles
    Regina King
    Regina King
    • Margie Hendricksas Margie Hendricks
    Kerry Washington
    Kerry Washington
    • Della Bea Robinsonas Della Bea Robinson
    Clifton Powell
    Clifton Powell
    • Jeff Brownas Jeff Brown
    Harry Lennix
    Harry Lennix
    • Joe Adamsas Joe Adams
    Bokeem Woodbine
    Bokeem Woodbine
    • Fathead Newmanas Fathead Newman
    Aunjanue Ellis
    Aunjanue Ellis
    • Mary Ann Fisheras Mary Ann Fisher
    Sharon Warren
    Sharon Warren
    • Aretha Robinsonas Aretha Robinson
    C.J. Sanders
    C.J. Sanders
    • Young Ray Robinsonas Young Ray Robinson
    Curtis Armstrong
    Curtis Armstrong
    • Ahmet Ertegunas Ahmet Ertegun
    Richard Schiff
    Richard Schiff
    • Jerry Wexleras Jerry Wexler
    Larenz Tate
    Larenz Tate
    • Quincy Jonesas Quincy Jones
    Terrence Howard
    Terrence Howard
    • Gossie McGeeas Gossie McGee
    • (as Terrence Dashon Howard)
    David Krumholtz
    David Krumholtz
    • Milt Shawas Milt Shaw
    Wendell Pierce
    Wendell Pierce
    • Wilbur Brassfieldas Wilbur Brassfield
    Chris Thomas King
    Chris Thomas King
    • Lowell Fulsonas Lowell Fulson
    Thomas Jefferson Byrd
    Thomas Jefferson Byrd
    • Jimmyas Jimmy
    Rick Gomez
    Rick Gomez
    • Tom Dowdas Tom Dowd
    • Director
      • Taylor Hackford
    • Writers
      • Taylor Hackford(story)
      • James L. White(story) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The story of Ray Charles (played by Jamie Foxx), music legend. Told in his adult life 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, him 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. —grantss
    • based on true story
    • betrayal by a friend
    • character name as title
    • based on real person
    • eyesight
    • 273 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The extraordinary life story of Ray Charles. A man who fought harder and went farther than anyone thought possible.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Music
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for depiction of drug addiction, sexuality and some thematic elements
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      At his request, the screenplay was translated into Braille for Ray Charles to read.
    • Goofs
      At the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival, Quincy is wearing "Ray Bans" sunglasses bearing the familiar 1990 Ray Bans logo on the corner of one lens.
    • Quotes

      Ray Charles: [responding to knock on his door] Who is it?

      Ahmet Ertegun: Mr. Charles, my name is Ahmet Ertegun. May I have a moment of your time?

      Ray Charles: [opening door] What do you want, man? I'm at church.

      Ahmet Ertegun: I'm sorry. I'll come back later.

      Ray Charles: You're here now, what do you want?

      Ahmet Ertegun: Mr. Charles, my company, Atlantic Records, has just acquired your contract from Swingtime. I'd like to talk about your future.

      Ray Charles: Hold on, man. Don't jive me now. I ain't for sale.

      Ahmet Ertegun: May I sit down?

      [Sits in chair]

      Ahmet Ertegun: You see it seems that Jack Lauderdale has found himself, shall we say, a little over extended and has had to unload some of his talent. When your name came up I jumped at the chance to work with you. I'm a big fan.

      Ray Charles: What if I want to go to another company? There's a guy out there right now that's willing to pay me seven cents a record. Can you do that?

      Ahmet Ertegun: Man, I could promise you fifteen cents a record but you won't get it. Anymore than he'll pay you seven. What I will do is promise you five cents a record and pay you five cents a record. You think pennies, Mr. Charles, you get pennies. You think dollars, you get dollars.

      Ray Charles: I like the way you put things together. Omlet, you're alright with me.

      Ahmet Ertegun: Ahmet.

      Ray Charles: Ahmet. What kind of a name is that anyway.

      Ahmet Ertegun: I'm Turkish.

      Ray Charles: Well, it looks like Jack Lauderdale's bad luck is my good fortune. I always knew Atlantic was bigger than Swingtime. You do great music there. I dig Atlantic.

      Ahmet Ertegun: You could have fooled me.

      Ray Charles: Well, I gotta keep my eye on you city boys. Back home they call it country dumb.

      [Starts laughing]

      Ray Charles: It ain't Turkish.

    • Crazy credits
      Ray Charles is survived by 12 children, 21 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.
    • Alternate versions
      Universal Pictures Oscar Edition contains Extended Cut of the film.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards 2005 (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      What'd I Say
      Written by Ray Charles

      Performed by Ray Charles

      Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

      By arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing

    User reviews483

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Jamie IS Ray
    If someone had nudged me about 15 minutes into 'Ray' and asked what I thought of Jamie Foxx in the title role, it would have been time for a blank stare. After all, what is this (fictitious) person talking' about? That wasn't Jamie Foxx up on the big screen. That was Ray Charles. This is one of the best performances by anybody in recent years. Like the soundtrack, Jamie as Ray is flat-out brilliant.

    The blind Genius of Soul (who took a revolutionary step of mixing gospel with R&B) died during production. The movie about his troubled life is good, not great. Taylor Hackford's direction and James L. White's script follow the well-worn biopic outline. Super-talented youngster battles adversity, achieves greatness while also self-destructing, then picks himself up out of the gutter for a happy ending. The film shows Charles' flaws (heroin abuse, chronic womanizing, persistent bastard-fathering) even as it sucks you in with his beautiful music.

    Kerry Washington and Regina King play the main women in Ray's life, one his long-suffering wife and the other his longtime mistress. Both actresses match Foxx stride for stride. What takes him to a different level, though, is his deep understanding and uncanny impersonation of the great musician. The entire cast is effective, especially Sharon Warren as his headstrong mother and Curtis Armstrong as a music exec. Hackford's stars are likely to be rewarded with trophies and---better yet---more starring roles.

    I was not a Ray Charles aficionado before 'Ray'. Apparently, the film has left out a lot (as do all biopics), but this picture functions as both an old-fashioned crowd pleaser AND a dark investigation of a brilliant/troubled man. For those who whine that Foxx doesn't actually sing (as if that somehow diminishes his performance), take a hike. No mere actor can sing like Mr. Charles anyway. You can't have everything. What the talented star does in this picture is about as close to "everything" as we'll probably see for a while.
    helpful•145
    16
    • flickershows
    • Dec 19, 2004

    FAQ1

    • How did Ray Charles go blind?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 29, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story
    • Filming locations
      • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Bristol Bay Productions
      • Anvil Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $40,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $75,331,600
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $20,039,730
      • Oct 31, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $123,971,376
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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