Johnny Cash vs. Ray Charles

I walked out of the theater, having this deja vu feeling, after watching Walk the Line. I had no problem with the fine acting delivered by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. My complaint had something to do with the uncanny similarity between this film and last year's Oscar contender for best picture Ray. In case you haven't seen Ray or Walk the Line or both (and you're planning to see either or both films), here are some points of comparison you might want to consider:

1) Johnny Cash wore black, Ray Charles was black.
2) Johnny's brother got killed in an accident (at the saw mill), Ray's brother drowned in a tub of water. Both had guilty feelings over the incident.
3) Johnny was a country/blues singer, Ray was a rhythm and blues/jazz singer. Both composed their own songs.
4) Johnny got hooked on drugs. And so was Ray. Both were busted but were later on freed.
5) Johnny had an affair with his back-up, Ray did too.
6) Johnny suffered depression (or a life of dissipation if you will), ditto with Ray.
7) Johnny ran bankrupt, (ah, can't remember what happened to Ray!) record company refused to hire him initially. Ray's company refused to renew his contract.
8) After a recession, both artists had succesful comebacks.
9) Both were cured of their addiction.
10) Both of them had distant fathers and strong mother's influence.
11) Both travelled on caravans during their music tour.

You get the point?

Fanatic Verdict: Ray Charles wins by a few meager points.