Hanging on a hugely impressive, committed performance as the titular genius by Jamie Foxx, this lightly fictionalised movie of the life of the great Ray Charles manages to avoid some of the usual pitfalls into which sink most Hollywood biopics. A handful of superb actors in the supporting roles helps no end, these including Kerry Washington as his long-suffering wife Bea, and Regina King as on-the-road lover, backing singer and founder of the Raelettes, Margie Hendricks. Both are terrific.
Good to see Richard Schiff ~ on leave from The West Wing, and sans beard ~ as producer Jerry Wexler. Interesting also to see our own Warwick Davis in early scenes as a character called Oberon. Sadly, he seems a little uneasy and his American accent is, sorry to say, a fleeting phenomenon.
We mostly hear Ray Charles’s inimitable voice singing on the soundtrack, which was wise. But it’s Foxx who elevates Taylor Hackford’s film from the routine to something worthy and, at times, very moving. Seldom has the Oscar ended up in such deserving hands.
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