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Plot, Details & Awards

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Rated PG-13 for depiction of drug addiction, sexuality and some thematic elements.

PG-13 In Theaters 10/29/2004 , 152min.
Drama
Available on DVD
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Plot & Details

Directed by Taylor Hackford, this biopic profiles the life of legendary musician Ray Charles. Despite humble beginnings and the loss of his eyesight due to glaucoma at the age of six, Charles, depicted by Jamie Foxx, would nonetheless become an icon in both the music industry and the civil rights era. While the film delves into his problems with drugs and women, the bulk of the story details his career; among the highlights of that career are 12 Grammy awards and 11 R&B chart-toppers, such as "Unchain My Heart," "Hit the Road, Jack," "Georgia," "Doin' the Mess Around," and "Hallelujah I Just Love Her So." Also among the cast are Larenz Tate as Quincy Jones, as well as Regina King, Kerry Washington, and Clifton Powell. Charles' son, Ray Charles Jr. helped produce the film.
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • Genre(s): Drama
  • Run Time: 152min.
  • Theatrical Release Date: 10/29/2004
  • DVD Release Date: 02/01/2005
  • Distributor(s): Universal
  • Director(s): Taylor Hackford
  • Starring: Jamie Foxx , Kerry Washington , Regina King , Clifton Powell , Aunjanue Ellis
  • Themes: Drug Addiction,Living With Disability,Musician's Life
  • Tone: Bittersweet,Earnest,Poignant,Rousing,Stirring
  • Keywords: African-American,Civil-Rights,R&B-music,blindness [physical],drug-addiction,extramarital-affair,heroin,musician
  • Country of Origin: USA (10-29-2004)
  • Language: English

Awards

Academy Awards

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Actor Jamie Foxx Won
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing Bob Beemer Won
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Picture Howard Baldwin Nominated
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing Steve Cantamessa Won
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Picture Stuart Benjamin Nominated
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing Scott Millan Won
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Costume Design Sharen Davis Nominated
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Director Taylor Hackford Nominated
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Picture Taylor Hackford Nominated
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Editing Paul Hirsch Nominated
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Mixing Greg Orloff Won

British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Sound Won
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Actor Jamie Foxx Won
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Original Screenplay James L. White Nominated
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Film Music Craig Armstrong Nominated

Golden Globes

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2004 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Picture - Musical or Comedy Nominated
2004 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Jamie Foxx Won

Toronto International Film Festival

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2004 Toronto International Film Festival Film Presented Nominated