Ray (2004)

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Ray was released on October 29, 2004, in the USA. The American drama film was produced by Universal Pictures. The movie storyline was written and directed by Taylor Hackford. The movie eventually won 2 Oscars where Jamie Foxx won as the leading actor, and the sound mixing category[1].

Plot

Ray Charles in Ray [2]

Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx) goes to Seattle, Washington to become a pianist for a nightclub band. However, Ray is lied to by the club owner and decides to leave the band. Then, he joins a country band where eventually gets introduced to heroin. Ray was blind due to the trauma of his brother's death, and wear sunglasses to hide his blindness. After several tours, he becomes more popular, and by then, the head of Atlantic Records contacts and offers him a record contract. Ray initiates his first hit named "The Mess Around" which raises his fame in music. He falls in love with Della Bea (Kerry Washington), a minister's daughter, and gets married. While on his way back to his home after the concert, Ray is found out of using heroin by Della, and Della insists him to quit using heroin. As his fame raises, Ray is having an affair with several women. He is having an affair with Mary Anne (Aunjanue Ellis), one of the singers in Ray's concert. Also, he is having an affair with Margie (Regina King). the singer backup. However, Mary Anne leaves Ray and his band and throws a brick at Ray's car as she was jealous of Margie. Ultimately, Margie leaves Ray as she wants to make a solo career. In the 1970s, Ray and Della find out that Margie died due to a drug overdose. Thus, Ray tries his best to have rehab treatment. In the end, Ray gets off drugs and obtains his distinguished achievements[3].

Black Empowerment

In Ray's lifetime, prejudice towards black racism is quite violent and intense. Ray fights with his own method. For instance, it is shown in the 1960s, Ray complained about African American concertgoers are placed in the balcony while other white people can see the concert right in front of the stage. He says that he will not start the concert unless the African Americans have the same right to watch the concert in front of the stage. However, his criticism leads to a ban to have a concert in Georgia. However, after 20 years of prohibition, the state law is changed where there is not segregated show anymore in Georgia, and finally, Ray is allowed to have a performance in Georgia. Therefore, he creates a song named "Georgia on My Mind" to commemorate the downfall of segregation rules in Georgia which then the song becomes a hit[4].

References