An actor has to embody a role.

I'm not in front of the camera, they are. I encourage them; I build up as much of their confidence and ego as possible. They've got to take control; I can't act it out.

Show business is one of those things that people can use to get themselves out of the lower rung of society.

Well I don't think I've scored my life exclusively to Ray Charles.

But, unfortunately, sometimes that affirmation creates a sense that you deserve special treatment and recognition in areas where you're not so talented.

It's very clearly stated in the film: You make your own choices, and what you're always fighting is ego.

The score is always the wonderful icing. The score tells you the emotional content of the film. What the characters don't say, the music can say.