Ray | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

79% Tomatometer 205 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings

Legendary soul musician Ray Charles is portrayed by Jamie Foxx in this Oscar-winning biopic. Young Ray watches his 7-year-old brother drown at age seven. When he loses his sight at the age of 9, his hardworking mother (Sharon Warren) urges him not to feel sorry for himself. He rises through the ranks of the Seattle jazz scene, struggling with drug addiction and infidelity while on the road. Supported by his wife (Kerry Washington), Ray Charles redefines soul music and inspires a generation.

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Critics Consensus

An engrossing and energetic portrait of a great musician's achievements and foibles, Ray is anchored by Jamie Foxx's stunning performance as Ray Charles.

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Critics Reviews

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Ray | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Nell Minow Common Sense Media Excellent portrayal of extraordinary musician. Rated: 4/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Ray | Rotten Tomatoes (2) David Ansen Newsweek Ray is filled with such pleasures, but it's hobbled by the too-familiar conventions of the musical biopic: with so many chapters of Charles's life to cover, Hackford's movie never finds a rhythm, a groove, to settle into. Nov 1, 2007 Full Review Ray | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Empire Magazine Rated: 4/5 Apr 1, 2006 Full Review Ray | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand It’s an inspired performance that creates a complex character out of the pop music legend. Apr 6, 2024 Full Review Ray | Rotten Tomatoes (5) David Walsh World Socialist Web Site Overall, ... the filmmakers have taken the line of least resistance, fashioning a familiar, 'inspirational' American tale about a man who overcomes personal trauma and experiences individual success. There's little richness in that. Feb 15, 2021 Full Review Ray | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) The soul-stirring sounds of music legend Ray Charles keep saving the day for this straightforward, safe-bet biopic. Rated: 3/5 May 12, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Luca B Yup. No words needed. Hit the road. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/29/24 Full Review Sams K Great performance by Jamie Foxx! God bless Ray. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/25/24 Full Review Cody W To hear Ray Charles play his songs while watching the movie is something that is really special to everybody. To see him go through so much drama throughout his career is something that everyone should learn about, that way they can support an incredible musician as a person and as a friend. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/24 Full Review John T. H You must be blind if you can't see the brilliant performance by Jamie Foxx! Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/12/24 Full Review Sean D Totally miss when biopics were more like this , and weren't afraid to show some of the nitty gritty stuff aswel as their rise to superstardom. Great film, and flawless performance by Jamie Fox 🏆 Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/18/24 Full Review Tyler S Just like many other biopics I've seen, this was another really solid one. Really enjoyed Jamie Foxx's portrayal here, he nailed it. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Taylor Hackford Director Jamie Foxx Ray Charles Kerry Washington Della Bea Robinson Regina King Margie Hendricks Clifton Powell Jeff Brown Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Mary Ann Fisher
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Videos

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Ray

Ray: Official Clip - A Wake Up Call Ray: Official Clip - A Wake Up Call 2:21 Ray: Official Clip - No More Segregation Ray: Official Clip - No More Segregation 1:46 Ray: Official Clip - It's Starting to Show Ray: Official Clip - It's Starting to Show 1:41 Ray: Official Clip - A Better Deal Ray: Official Clip - A Better Deal 1:32 Ray: Official Clip - Drunk at a Recording Session Ray: Official Clip - Drunk at a Recording Session 2:12 Ray: Official Clip - I Might Be Blind, But I Ain't Stupid Ray: Official Clip - I Might Be Blind, But I Ain't Stupid 2:18 Ray: Official Clip - Impromptu Audition Ray: Official Clip - Impromptu Audition 2:20 Ray: Official Clip - A Healing Flashback Ray: Official Clip - A Healing Flashback 2:36 Ray: Official Clip - Hummingbirds Ray: Official Clip - Hummingbirds 1:57 Ray: Official Clip - The Raelettes Ray: Official Clip - The Raelettes 1:20 View more videos

Photos

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Ray

JAMIE FOXX as American legend Ray Charles and KERRY WASHINGTON as his wife, Della Bea Robinson, in the musical biographical drama, Ray. JAMIE FOXX as American legend Ray Charles in the musical biographical drama, Ray. (L to r) A young Quincy Jones (LARENZ TATE) and Ray Charles (JAMIE FOXX) make the rounds of the Seattle jazz scene in the musical biographical drama, Ray. (L to r) JAMIE FOXX as American legend Ray Charles, KERRY WASHINGTON as Della Bea Robinson, ERIC O'NEAL, JR. as Ray Charles, Jr. and HARRY LENNIX as manager Joe Adams in Ray. Director/producer/story writer TAYLOR HACKFORD (center), JAMIE FOXX as American legend Ray Charles (left foreground) and REGINA KING as Margie Hendricks (far right) on the set of Ray. JAMIE FOXX as American legend Ray Charles in the musical biographical drama, Ray. JAMIE FOXX as American legend Ray Charles and AUNJANUE ELLIS as vocalist Mary Ann Fisher in the musical biographical drama, Ray. JAMIE FOXX as American legend Ray Charles and REGINA KING as vocalist Margie Hendricks (trio center) in the musical biographical drama, Ray. JAMIE FOXX as American legend Ray Charles in the musical biographical drama, Ray. Director/producer/story writer TAYLOR HACKFORD and JAMIE FOXX (as American legend Ray Charles) on the set of the musical biographical drama, Ray. View more photos

Synopsis Legendary soul musician Ray Charles is portrayed by Jamie Foxx in this Oscar-winning biopic. Young Ray watches his 7-year-old brother drown at age seven. When he loses his sight at the age of 9, his hardworking mother (Sharon Warren) urges him not to feel sorry for himself. He rises through the ranks of the Seattle jazz scene, struggling with drug addiction and infidelity while on the road. Supported by his wife (Kerry Washington), Ray Charles redefines soul music and inspires a generation.

Director
Taylor Hackford

Producer
Howard Baldwin, Stuart Benjamin, Taylor Hackford, Karen Elise Baldwin

Screenwriter
Robert Eisele, James L. White

Distributor
Universal Pictures

Production Co
Crusader Entertainment LLC, Unchain My Heart Louisiana

Rating
PG-13 (Sexuality|Drug Addiction|Some Thematic Elements)

Genre
Biography, History, Drama, Music

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 29, 2004, Wide

Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016

Box Office (Gross USA)
$75.3M

Runtime
2h 35m

Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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