RAY CHARLES MOVIE

RAY CHARLES

The movie I watched was “Ray,” directed by Taylor Hackford. The actor Jamie Foxx played the main character Ray Charles Robinson.

The story takes place between 1930s and 1970s. It talks about Ray, a blind musician who has to deal with his drug addiction, physical condition and his regret about his brother’s death. This movie reminded me of Sonny’s blues, who also fought his addiction to heroin and use his music as a way to express his pains and sorrow.

            Ray grew up in northern Florida. He lived with his mother in a very poor neighborhood. He witnessed his own brother death when he was seven and became blind nine months later due to an illness. Even blind, Ray learned how to play piano and became a successful musician. Ray played several kind of music such as Jazz, R&B, Gospel and country. He used his music to express his feelings and sorrow. He was a drug addicted and had many affairs while married to Della (Bea). I really loved his mother’s advice: Never let nobody turn you into no cripple, you are blind, it does not mean you are stupid”. My parents told me to be strong and courageous no matter what will happen to me. Some people outside are cruel and we all have to deal with and made our way by survived.

            The scene I like from the story was when Ray refused to perform in Georgia and went back to his bus, because someone had to stop the segregation and discrimination against the black population in this state. He listened to the young man and decided to no play anymore.The consequence was terrible because Ray had been banned, he could not perform in Georgia until 1971. I believed Ray touched all Americans by this act. He made a significant action and the American culture. Also, He received a public apology in Georgia and an authorization to go back and play his music.

I may connect this movie with the theme: “The difficult circumstances of black men in America (drugs, poverty, discrimination…)” because the movie illustrated many stories about segregation against black American people, such as the situation in Georgia. Also, Ray was from a very poor city when he was young. his desires were to become famous and rich. He was addicted to heroin, which allowed him to play well and forget about his brother's death.