Taylor Hackford is not originally from the south, but he has the soul of a southerner when it comes to storytelling. In RAY, he uses it to blend past and present in ways that don’t just show how the former affects the latter, but how in the emotional landscape of the title character, the legendary Ray Charles, they are the same thing
The DVD edition of the film has a slew of bonus features, including a separate disc of feature-ettes and the uncut musical performances from the movie. Now that alone is worth the price. The film itself is presented in its original theatrical version and in a separate, extended version with the 14 deleted scenes included. You can also access those scenes all lumped together on disc two. Either way, it adds extra texture to a film already rich in detail and in emotion. My nitpick is that Hackford’s commentary track is only available on the theatrical version, not the extended one, something not specified in the menu. As for his commentary, it opens the film up separating the facts from the fictions used as dramatic devices. He’s very upfront about using, as he puts it, apocryphal tales that aren’t true, but tell the story better than mere facts could. By the time you’re done listening to him, you’ll be convinced he made the right choice. Hackford’s abiding respect for Ray, as an artist and as a man who wouldn’t let anything stop him, is palpable as he talks, as is the passion for the subject that kept him plugging away at this project for 15 years until he could get it to the screen. There is also a great deal of musical history in that commentary that Hackford picked up from, among others, Quincy Jones, that might not be available anywhere else.
For a further appreciation of Jaime Foxx’s dazzling performance as Ray, the DVD offers a bonus feature showing how he transformed himself into the musical icon. And, to allow a side-by-side comparison, he and Ray perform together, rather, Ray teaches and Jaime takes his cues from the master. Remembering Ray is a montage of quotes and sound bites from friends, colleagues, and the actors in the film talking about what Ray meant to them. It’s a bit schmaltzy.
RAY is a film worth watching more than once if only for the unfailing way that Jaime Foxx nails Ray Charles. The music is another reason. Mostly, though, it’s wonderful to fall into the dreamy world Taylor Hackford created and used to tell the story of an American original.
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