Ray

The Oscar nomination for Best Picture is a purely political matter. Ray is meticulously shot, the musical numbers are brilliantly edited, and Jamie Foxx brilliantly reflects all of his character’s physical and psychological attributes. But without him and the cinematographer, the screenply would put a smacked-out Ray Charles to sleep given its length. The movie is a nice tribute to a great musician (in which you will find parallels with his own life), but it’s far from being a great film experience. (09.02.2005)

Solid craftsmanship, breathing the atmosphere of the 1950s and 60s, but a conventionally conceived and cinematically unexceptional biopic of a musical genius (Hackford's Oscar nomination is a bit mysterious to me). Despite the presence of two or three poignant scenes from Charles' childhood, the glimpses into his life left me emotionally cold, although Ray's colourful life urged otherwise, but the fantastic musical numbers compensate for that (the absolute killer "The Mess Around" in the rehearsal studio, the improvisation on "Baby, It's Alright", the circumstances of the creation and the song "Hit the Road, Jack", and many more), they kick the viewer into gear and beat flawlessly to the beats of R’n’B. Foxx does a great imitation of a great piano virtuoso and I fully believed him as a soul star. Final rating: three and a half stars, rounded down this time due to the high expectations. (09.02.2005)

I would call it craftsmanship. Some scenes were unnecessary, the flashbacks of youth were touching and engaging, but not extremely important. However, it is incredible how riveting an ordinary recording session in a studio is in Hackford's delivery, for example. If the best scenes in a film about a great musician are the ones where music takes center stage, at least in this aspect, everything is fine. (08.02.2005)

This is exactly the type of film where an actor can showcase their talent brilliantly. It’s about an intriguing and well-known character who didn't have an easy fate (blindness, drug problems, infidelity), plus he was a singer. That truly requires a capable actor. That's where Jamie Foxx showcased himself, delivering a truly career-defining performance. Incredibly believable, great voice, and all in favor of the film. It stands quite well on its own, and the flashbacks are well-connected to current events. Yes, it's still just a biography, but the viewer learns everything important. The acting is excellent. (13.03.2014)