Film Review
Walk the Line
Dir. James MangoldScr. Gill Dennis & James Mangold
Joaquin Phoenix
Reese Witherspoon
Robert Patrick
Official Site - www.walkthelinethemovie.com
This is not so much a film about Johnny Cash as it is a film about his love for June Carter. That's not to say there is not some great music driving this movie (kudos to T-Bone Burnett for yet one more dose of great movie music), but the real story is the long, drawn-out romance between two married people who eventually overcome their issues and get hitched! Joaquin Phoenix is insanely good as Cash--is there a better actor around really? He gets lost in his character and this role demonstrates that more than usual.
They gave the Oscar to Jamie Foxx for Ray, I doubt they'll repeat the honour for another real-life character, but they should. And Reese Witherspoon breaks out of the cute and perky into some real depth and dimension--all sexy and everything! The film has all the hangups that bio-pics usually have--predictability, trying too hard to be authentic-when everyone knows it is not, but none of that really matters because the action on the screen stands by itself in terms of depth and substance. Johnny Cash was an icon for decades, this movie will probably not only underscore that status but move him even closer to the realm of the mythic.
I have always loved Johnny Cash, and I have also always loved Biofilms about musician's lives. Usually they are very punchy and try to hit all the cultural high points and personal low points, all in two hours (unless you are Oliver Stone and you need over three hours to tell the depressing story of Jim Morrison and the Doors) Usually the bio's are written from a perspective of someone looking in on an artist?s life. This film about Johnny Cash - Walk the Line - is the opposite.
It was based on His autobiography, so it is much more personal. Johnny isn't that interested in mythologizing his past with grand stories of the early Sun Records days with Elvis and others. That is touched on but only from a very personal emotional viewpoint.
Not much is made of his musical development or even the creation of his iconic image of the rebel in black. These things are mentioned but quickly dismissed. What he is concerned about sharing is his lifelong love for his second wife June Carter. The music and the enigma only serve as a backdrop to the building tension and tender intimacies of their relationship.
Some interesting facts about his life do emerge. His older brother was killed in a woodshop accident when he was 12 years old. Something that his uncaring and cruel father blamed on him. His relationship with his father and his struggle with addiction are the only subplots to the John and June show. The movie ends at the point where June finally accepts his fiftieth marriage proposal in front of hundreds of fans during a concert tour. They eventually get married and move into Johnny's lakeside house in Henderson Tennessee. I enjoyed that part, given that during one of our family vacations to Tenn. in the 80's we drove outside of Nashville (and Elvis's home) to visit Johnny's house in Henderson. I can't recall why we made the drive but up until that point I had no idea who Johnny Cash was. For a long time after that, I mistook him for Waylon Jennings.
The movie was still engaging even though it didn't cover the years younger people would know Johnny from. His recent work with Rick Rubin. Maybe there is a part two. I heard that He and Rick used to take communion everyday for 6 years. Even if they were apart, Johnny would call Rick on the phone and lead him through communion. Rick kept up the practice for months after Johnny died.
That is a testament to the power of Johnny Cash's influence.
They gave the Oscar to Jamie Foxx for Ray, I doubt they'll repeat the honour for another real-life character, but they should. And Reese Witherspoon breaks out of the cute and perky into some real depth and dimension--all sexy and everything! The film has all the hangups that bio-pics usually have--predictability, trying too hard to be authentic-when everyone knows it is not, but none of that really matters because the action on the screen stands by itself in terms of depth and substance. Johnny Cash was an icon for decades, this movie will probably not only underscore that status but move him even closer to the realm of the mythic.
I have always loved Johnny Cash, and I have also always loved Biofilms about musician's lives. Usually they are very punchy and try to hit all the cultural high points and personal low points, all in two hours (unless you are Oliver Stone and you need over three hours to tell the depressing story of Jim Morrison and the Doors) Usually the bio's are written from a perspective of someone looking in on an artist?s life. This film about Johnny Cash - Walk the Line - is the opposite.
It was based on His autobiography, so it is much more personal. Johnny isn't that interested in mythologizing his past with grand stories of the early Sun Records days with Elvis and others. That is touched on but only from a very personal emotional viewpoint.
Not much is made of his musical development or even the creation of his iconic image of the rebel in black. These things are mentioned but quickly dismissed. What he is concerned about sharing is his lifelong love for his second wife June Carter. The music and the enigma only serve as a backdrop to the building tension and tender intimacies of their relationship.
Some interesting facts about his life do emerge. His older brother was killed in a woodshop accident when he was 12 years old. Something that his uncaring and cruel father blamed on him. His relationship with his father and his struggle with addiction are the only subplots to the John and June show. The movie ends at the point where June finally accepts his fiftieth marriage proposal in front of hundreds of fans during a concert tour. They eventually get married and move into Johnny's lakeside house in Henderson Tennessee. I enjoyed that part, given that during one of our family vacations to Tenn. in the 80's we drove outside of Nashville (and Elvis's home) to visit Johnny's house in Henderson. I can't recall why we made the drive but up until that point I had no idea who Johnny Cash was. For a long time after that, I mistook him for Waylon Jennings.
The movie was still engaging even though it didn't cover the years younger people would know Johnny from. His recent work with Rick Rubin. Maybe there is a part two. I heard that He and Rick used to take communion everyday for 6 years. Even if they were apart, Johnny would call Rick on the phone and lead him through communion. Rick kept up the practice for months after Johnny died.
That is a testament to the power of Johnny Cash's influence.