With the release of Law Abiding Citizen this Friday, Jamie Foxx will be back in the limelight that he first enjoyed when he was nominated for acting Academy Awards for both Collateral and Ray five years ago. Foxx was only the second male (after Al Pacino) to be nominated for awards in two different films in the same year. His performance as Ray Charles must rank as one of the most astonishing pieces of acting in any film and has been the catalyst for a varied and exceptional acting career.
From Ray to Law Abiding Citizen
Actors are not often seen in two such different films as Dreamgirls (2006) and The Kingdom (2007), but it is this ability to switch from comic to musical to action that makes Jamie Foxx so sought after. Hollywood favourites, such as Hugh Grant and Keanu Reeves may excel at the art of subtle nuancing, but Foxx has the ability to drastically reinvent himself for each new project. This year has been another showcase for Foxx’s versatility. Foxx has followed his emotive performance in The Soloist by starring in the thriller Law Abiding Citizen, co-starring Gerard Butler (300, PS I Love You). But before the year is out he will be turning to comedy again, teaming up with Martin Lawrence in Skank Robbers. Not content simply to stick to male roles, he will be dolling up to play bank robber, Wanda Reid.
Law Abiding Citizen, released on 16th October, comes with the explosive promise, “It’s gonna be Biblical!” Foxx plays lawyer, Nick Rice, who made a deal to release a double murderer after ten years, in exchange for information about his partner. The victim, Clyde Shelton (Butler), who has lost his wife and daughter, seeks vengeance on the injustice of the entire legal system. The twist – he has masterminded a series of violent demonstrations while behind bars. Directed by F. Gary Gray, (The Negotiator, Be Cool), the movie guarantees a fast-paced, breathless night at the cinema and another look at the astonishing talents of Mr Foxx.
Moonwalking Tribute to Michael Jackson
Foxx’s ability stretches outside the world of acting into music. His album, Unpredictable (2005) received wide acclaim and at the BET Awards 2009, where he moonwalked in tribute to Michael Jackson, Foxx won Best Collaboration for "Blame It" with T-Pain. Foxx’s musical success, like his rise to fame as an actor, looks back to his time playing Ray Charles. Before filming, Foxx shadowed the musical master himself and improved his musical ability through this. His first chart success came shortly after as he was sampled for Kanye West’s Golddigger. For Foxx, music is not a side project, the way it is for other actors who produce music, but he always gives 100%.
Although stumbling in his moonwalk, Foxx gave an impressive and personal speech, remembering the time he first saw Michael Jackson as a kid. Jacko himself was an engaging performer and Foxx has clearly drawn some of his drive and passion from his childhood memories of perhaps the world’s greatest ever performer.
Born Eric Marlon Bishop, he changed his name to the sexually ambiguous Jamie Foxx when starting out as a stand-up comedian and impressionist. He received a 6 month prison sentence in 2003.
Jamie Foxx has already achieved more in a short time than many actors can hope for in a whole career. It looks likely that writers’ imaginations will run out before they find a role that he is unable to play.
