Walk the Line

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Walk the Line

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Walk the Line

Ginnifer Goodwin, Joaquin Phoenix, Larry Bagby, Hailey Anne Nelson, Reese Witherspoon

"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.

Id: 10893162

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Walk the Line Recent Reviews
  • SirPant
    September 30, 2009
    SirPant
    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!
  • Passenger1986
    July 22, 2009
    Passenger1986
    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.
  • ironclad1609
    February 15, 2009
    ironclad1609
    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.
  • mrpopcorn
    December 29, 2008
    mrpopcorn
    "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.
  • smith44
    November 8, 2008
    smith44
    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.
  • Marischa2
    December 16, 2009
    Marischa2
    wasnt too bad but it also wasnt that good.
  • ashleighlynda
    December 13, 2009
    ashleighlynda
    Good movie, good music
  • tiffanychung
    December 11, 2009
    tiffanychung
    great music! great story!
  • PoofyPuff1000
    December 9, 2009
    PoofyPuff1000
    Great biopic on the life and times of musician Johnny Cash. A shame he didn't live to see it.
  • mayans2012
    December 6, 2009
    mayans2012
    Joacquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are excellent together!
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