Ray

A work about a genius is not necessarily a work of genius. This film is a case in point. The story of the music legend is presented here in an oddly old-fashioned style; many of the tropes seen here have been seen a thousand times before, and the notes played (so to speak) come through clearly, but are a bit obvious and render the story somewhat pedestrian--which hardly reflects the full breadth of the real-life tale. That’s the redeeming part of this movie: the extraordinary nature of Charles’ life arc helps the narrative overcome the film-making weaknesses. On top of that, Jamie Foxx’s dead-on take on the legend’s persona injects some appropriate excellence into the proceedings. And, it should go without saying, the music heard here is incredible. It’s certainly a film worth a look and listen, though it is perhaps not the amazing thing that its subject should have made it out to be.