RAY Charles Robinson had two major handicaps in establishing himself as a leading singer and musician in 1960s America he was blind, and he was black.

And the fact that he faced his physical disability and the American South's racial discrimination head on, refusing to be browbeaten by either, is testament to a great man and a great entertainer.

It's material that cries out for a film biography, and with Ray we have a story that leaves virtually no stone unturned in exploring the man's life.

To many, Ray Charles's impact on modern popular music is as great as that of Elvis Presley. Controversially fusing gospel and jazz the film shows how this didn't go down well with members of the God-fearing population his influence on today's RnB acts is considerable.

So to make a film about Ray Charles was something not be taken lightly and director Taylor Hackford's passion for the subject is plain for all to see. This is an exhaustive, and ultimately exhausting account of one man's life.

The film shows Ray setting out on his musical career as a young man of considerable charm, touring the country with various bands and musicians and being educated in life and love along he way. He then develops as a songwriter in his own right, while his electrifying piano playing soon earns him a reputation as a musician to watch.

But with success came a whole new set of problems he became a womaniser, he took drugs, he had more than the odd brush with the law.

He was also haunted by his past, and in flashback we see how he was affected by guilt over the death of his younger brother, and how going blind at a young age helped shaped his life and career.

So, plenty of material for a fascinating biopic. Actually, there's too much material Ray is overlong and occasionally disjointed, with Hackford's love of his subject blinding him to his responsibilities in the editing suite.

With a little careful pruning, this film could have been more free-flowing and less episodic.

But what does elevate this film to memorable status is the central performance. Ray doesn't star Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles Foxx is Ray Charles. Even for those who are not devoted fans of the singer, the resemblance is uncanny and Foxx's performance is a tour de force subtle yet impassioned, enthusiastic yet disciplined.

We warm to Ray early on thanks to Foxx's portrayal of the man's easy-going manner, and he makes us angry later on as he struggles with drug addiction and infidelity.

It helps that Foxx is no mean pianist himself, but one can forgive him for lip-synching the songs, leaving us to enjoy listening to the man's distinctive voice on songs that Foxx actually "performs".

Because Foxx gets beneath Ray's skin, the film is a moving and uplifting experience, made all the more poignant by the singer's death last year. 7/10

By Stephen Webb

RAY

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King

Director: Taylor Hackford

Certificate 15, 152 minutes

Showing at: Cineworld from today