Ginnifer Goodwin, Joaquin Phoenix, Larry Bagby

"Walk the Line" follows the early years in the career of American music legend Johnny Cash. The young Cash sets out on life's journey battered by his brother's accidental death and an abusive father, ...( read more  read more... )who blames him for the incident. His rise to fame with such hits as "A Boy Named Sue" and "Ring of Fire" is countered by his struggle with amphetamines, barbiturates and alcohol. His instability, both financial and emotional, leads to the failure of his first marriage. The few comforts of his unhappy youth had come from the radio programs of June Carter, the luminous daughter of country music's first family. When their paths cross, it's her devotion and support that becomes his salvation.

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86% liked it

514,629 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

199 critics

PG-13, 2 hrs. 13 min.

Directed by: James Mangold

Release Date: November 18, 2005

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DVD Release Date: February 28, 2006

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Flixster Reviews (39,264)


  • September 30, 2009
    I thought Joaquin Phoenix was brilliant and I liked the way the story was based on Cash's relationship with June Carter. As a Johnny Cash fan I thought there was possibly more it could have told us about the man and the typical Biography clichés are rife but on the whole, great f...( read more)ilm!
  • July 22, 2009
    When watching any biopic, one fact should remain with the viewer: the events on screen can often be combinations/alterations of real life occurrences, often heightened for drama (as much as I love Ed Wood, I acknowledge things like Tor Johnson's kids being older than they were at...( read more) the premiere of Plan 9 From Outer Space and facts of that nature). With that in mind, the true appeal comes from exploring people in their isolated moments and their sociability. It's about getting into their heads and trying to to capture their moods.
    Not knowing much about Johnny Cash, I didn't quite know what to expect. Happily enough, I was treated to an interesting tale of living the high life, almost burning out and gaining another chance.

    It was said somewhere that Johnny himself wanted Joaquin Phoenix to portray him on the big screen and you can see why. He's able to step right into Johnny's shoes and show us how tortured he felt, partly about the accidental death of his brother (which put a much greater strain on the relationship with his father, convinced his older brother was the "good one"), partly about his feelings for fellow musician June Carter (Reese Witherspoon, more on her later). His singing voice is top-notch and he really does wonders for such classics like I Walk The Line, Folsom Prison Blues and Jackson (coincidentally, my favourite Johnny Cash song). He balances the anguish of Johnny's personal life by making his stage presence the essence of confidence. All it takes is to dress in black and just announce, simply: "Hello. I'm Johnny Cash".
    One of my absolute favourite scenes in the movie is his audition in the first act. He's doing a gospel song and it's clear that he's rather be singing something with more meaning to him. So the man he's auditioning for says he should sing whatever he wants. He breaks out with one of the songs he's written, Folsom Prison Blues, and that's what impresses the man (incidentally, Folsom Prison Blues has one of the greatest lines I've ever heard in a song with "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die").

    Now onto Reese Witherspoon, playing June Carter. Throughout the movie, June acts as John's anchor, his salvation. When he gets addicted to drugs and spirals downwards, it is June's concerns and action that get him to clean up his act. The song Ring Of Fire represents how June felt towards Johnny and it's nice to know how much of a positive influence June Carter was.
    Seeing as how she chose Reese to play her, it's clear both Cashes were spot on in their choices. Reese is feisty, confident and has a knockout set of pipes. In my opinion, this is her best role to date (and on a more trivial note, I propose she keep her hairstyle and colour the same as shown here. Works for her, it really does).

    I'm glad I watched this movie, I really am. I heard wonderful songs I had never heard before and classics through new vocals (I may be hung, drawn and quartered for this but I think Phoenix's and Witherspoon's rendition of Jackson edges out over the original by a little). John and June were two fascinating people and I'm glad to have seen this look into their lives.
  • February 15, 2009
    This biopic first tells the story of Johnny Cash's walk to success and then concentrates on his difficult relationship with his later wife June Carter, both being very convincingly portrayed by Phoenix, respectively Witherspoon. The movie flows wonderfully, from his childhood, ov...( read more)er the first steps in show business, rise to stardom and all personal problems all that entails, spiked with convincingly real and energetic musical performances by the two leading roles. The result is one of the most entertaining and convincing musician biography movies, doing justice to one of the great musicians of the last century and beyond.
  • December 29, 2008
    "Love is a burning thing."

    James Mangold's Walk the Line tells the life story of country music legend Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix), focusing primarily on the long courtship he had with June Carter (Reese Witherspoon). The film is structured as an extended flashback ope...( read more)ning with Cash readying to take the stage at his historic Folsom Prison Concert. The film touches on his childhood, relating a horrific early incident from his life and establishing the troubled relationship he would have with his father (Robert Patrick). Cash joins the military and leaves home. During his time in the armed services he begins writing songs and romances a hometown girl (Ginnifer Goodwin). After the end of his duty he settles down and attempts to begin a music career, but his wife has trouble adjusting to his dreams. Cash auditions for Sam Phillips (Dallas Roberts), signs to Sun Records, and soon finds himself on tour with a roster of young soon to be legends that includes Elvis Presley (Tyler Hilton) and Jerry Lee Lewis (Waylon Malloy Payne). On this tour he meets June Carter, the daughter of the famous Carter family, and they take a liking to each other although she refuses any serious advances from him. Cash gains world wide fame thanks in part to the inspiration he gets from June, but eventually his marriage crumbles and he develops a serious drug addiction.

    Review
    "Walk the Line" is a tender story about two real people who lead extraordinary lives. Joaquin and Reese both give heart wrenching performances as they portray the legendary Johnny and June Carter Cash but it is story that makes it the most memorable. Reese's Oscar nomination is one that is well deserved the amazing thing about her performance is that she shined without glamour and without upstaging Joaquin. She brought great strength to the woman of courage who was always in the shadow of both her family and of Johnny's career. The rock of which he stood. It was quite refreshing. The chemistry between Witherspoon and Phoenix is wonderful and I whole heartedly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see it, a Johnny Cash fan or not. And if you aren't a Johnny Cash fan, I recommend picking up a CD you won't regret it.
  • November 8, 2008
    Two Thumbs Up For Phoenix And Witherspoon. With outstanding lead performances, a gripping love story of redemption and great music it is a heart-capturing film. Oscar bound performance by Reese Witherspoon a highlight of her career. You'll be ginning and singing for a long time.
  • November 19, 2009
    Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, awesome actors. And beautiful story.
  • November 19, 2009
    I'm into bio's--really thought Joaquin should have won an Oscar for his performance. Incredible.
  • November 19, 2009
    A bit long but pretty good movie.
  • November 16, 2009
    "An Unprovacative , unendearing melo-dramatic-ode to the Cash's that's no fun to hear as well as look at"

    It is a "Passionless,egotistical,flawing story inside a nostolgic, dead-on portral with lifeless flair."
  • November 13, 2009
    hhm i like to in his mowie,,,
    sad and emotional,,,
    but true,,

Critic Reviews


February 7, 2006
Kurt Loder, MTV

Walk the Line is unusually moving without ever becoming mawkish,
in the usual biopic way. It's a virtual reincarnation of a peerless
American artist. full review

November 18, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

If Walk the Line isn't the full story of Johnny Cash, it's at least a crucial corner of it, a way of coaxing a legend down to a human scale, without shrinking that legend away to nothingness. full review

November 18, 2005
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

Joaquin Phoenix isn't Johnny Cash. But with the clip-clop of rhythms behind him, aiming his guitar like a gun, he puts on one sensational show. full review

November 18, 2005
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The problem is that the movie plays down almost everything that made Cash great: the train rumble of a voice, the direct, poetic truth of his best lyrics, the invention of his outlaw image and his con... full review

November 17, 2005
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Johnny Cash gets the musical biopic treatment in this moderately entertaining, never quite convincing chronicle of his early years.

November 17, 2005
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

There's no mistaking the sound of Johnny Cash, and Walk the Line gets it just right. full review

November 17, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Johnny Cash sang like he meant business...Walk the Line, with its dead-on performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, helps you understand that quality. full review

November 17, 2005
David Edelstein, NPR's Fresh Air

In spite of its standard biopic gaps and simplifications, Walk the Line gets the big things right. full review

November 14, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

There's no denying the biopic cliches, but Phoenix and Witherspoon jump even those hurdles. It's going to be hard for audiences and the Academy not to show them some love. full review

View more Walk the Line reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • fategirl80
    March 12, 2009
    I love Walk the Line with Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. I have Walk the Line on DVD with Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Walk the Line is my favorite Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon movie. In Walk the Line I liked Johnny, June, Johnny's girls, June's girls, Johnny's Parents and June's Parents. I have Walk the Line the 2005 movie sopundtrack on My IPod.
  • angelsfcukanddevilsk
    June 28, 2008
    I love this film! The actors were amazing and he actully sounded like Jc when he sung. jc is a legend!
  • rbex0877
    June 3, 2008
    saw this for the first time the other night and i absolutley loved it i went straight out and got it on dvd and have watched it again and again lol. brilliant movie reece & joaquin make the movie outstanding its great to watch their friendship take time and turn into love!!
  • mistershinobi
    May 12, 2008
    music videos directed by Joaquin Phoenix:

    Ringside - Tired of being sorry > http://youtube.com/watch?v=pG6qF_abO3o

    She Wants Revenge - Tear you apart > http://youtube.com/watch?v=5BIm8jcfWog

    People in Planes - If you talk too much > http://youtube.com/watch?v=I76JT-0q8pM
  • pavacri23
    April 21, 2008
    excellent act of joaquin and reese, you really get in the movie.
  • chamberlainw24
    April 18, 2008
    awsome movie.Hello I'm johnny Cash
  • GymNetic25
    December 19, 2007
    This movie really had me involved in Johnny Cash's story. It entranced me with all the musical numbers and the two main characters Cash and June Carter. What a pair they were and made fantastic music together. Joaquin Phoenix did a great job portraying Cash. But who stole the show and did a phenomenal job was Reese Witherspoon. I just loved her in Vanity Fair and new she had talent. What also is great about this film is that they do their own singing which makes it even better to watch. A wonderful soundtrack to back up the film of the year in 2005. 4 1/2 stars
  • Aritosgold
    November 7, 2007
    Good Movie;;
  • terris85017
    September 23, 2007
    (2006 Director: James Mangold) I grew up on gospel music and in church....I am still a HUGE Johnny Cash fan...if you have EVER written a song or loved a musician, then PLEASE SEE THIS MOVIE!!! Such a finely done 'true story." Yes. all is NOT roses!!!
    I grew up on gospel music and in church....I am still a HUGE Johnny Cash fan...if you have EVER written a song or loved a musician, then SEE THIS MOVIE! Finely done 'true story."

    I grew up on gospel music and in church....I am still a HUGE Johnny Cash fan...if you have EVER written a song or loved a musician, then PLEASE SEE THIS MOVIE!!! Such a finely done 'true story." Yes...all is NOT roses!!!
  • xxleavittoo
    August 15, 2007
    ITS A REALLY GOOD MOVIE!!!!

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Walk the Line Trivia


  • Reese Witherspoon won the Oscar for Best Actress in 2006 for what movie?  Answer »
  • In which Reese Witherspoon movie does she say the line 'baby baby baby baby' ?  Answer »
  • What movie had Reese Witherspoon in it, and is called _ _ _ _ the line?  Answer »
  • What movie did this line come from? "Now I've asked you 40 different ways and it's time you come up with a fresh answer.I'm asking you to marry me."  Answer »

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