I walk the line~Johnny Cash bio

[lady cop]

i have heard this movie is great, but that his kids by first wife do not like portrayal of their mother.............................................................................................Hollywood loves biographical films, and movies about country music stars are almost a genre within that genre, from "Coal Miner's Daughter" (Sissy Spacek gives an Oscar-winning performance as Loretta Lynn) to "Great Balls of Fire" featuring Dennis Quaid's sweat-drenched performance) to "Sweet Dreams" (the fine Jessica Lange as Patsy Cline).It makes a lot of sense: Country music, by its nature, features themes of heartache, survival, and love lost and won, and the musicians -- who usually suffered all the above -- make for great drama.

Now, with "Walk the Line," the life of Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter Cash has been put under the microscope. Their story, and the film, does not disappoint.

The late June Carter Cash -- she died in May, 2003, and a heartbroken Johnny followed her just five months later -- said her husband had two personalities: Cash the wild, dark man and John the honest and vulnerable man. He was a boy whose father blamed him for his brother's tragic death, and a man who battled fierce demons.

Thanks to Joaquin Phoenix's terrific performance, "Walk The Line" captures this dual persona brilliantly. Phoenix -- who had never even played guitar before getting this role -- doesn't imitate Cash. He just gets Cash, in ways great and small. When he steps up to the microphone and says, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," you believe him. This performance will undoubtedly win him an Oscar nomination.

The same can be said for Reese Witherspoon, who plays June. Director James Mangold made a bold move in casting the petite blonde actress mainly known for lightweight comedy, and she delivers.

June Carter Cash's profile was much lower than her husband's, so Witherspoon had a little more leeway in terms of portraying this strong woman, who in many ways was just as complex as her husband. But what she does with a glance, with a line, with a look at the man who would be her husband -- the little things say so much. June met Johnny when they were both married to other people and stuck with him through his drug addiction and wrenching emotional ups and downs.

This role should make Hollywood sit up and notice there is more to Witherspoon than meets the eye.

The supporting performances are just as good: Robert Patrick as Cash's bitter, bile-spewing father; Dallas Roberts as Sun Records founder Sam Phillips; Shooter Jennings playing his father, Waylon.

Equally astounding is the music -- not just the songs themselves, but the fact that the actors do their own singing and playing. Producer James Keach and Mangold were both adamant that whoever played the roles of would do their own singing. If you wanted to hear Johnny and June Cash sing, you could buy a CD, they believed. It was a gutsy move, but it's instrumental in making a very good movie into a great one.

Phoenix growls and Witherspoon purrs and their duets are absolutely wonderful. T Bone Burnett ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?") was the executive music director; he deserves plenty of credit for making the music work.

Mangold's direction is excellent, and the script -- by Mangold and Gil Davis -- captures the complex characters without relying on biopic cliché.

Bottom line: Get in line to see "Walk the Line."......................

[valerie]

LC, who did that review?



I saw Roger Ebert gave it 3 1/2 stars this morning but I haven't read

his review yet...



I'd like to go see it, it would have to be a bargain matinee hmmm wonder

if they have thm on t-day?



Saw Johnny Cash in concert once... he was really good, of course.

And I remember all those times at horse shows when they would play

Ring of Fire on the PA and I'd ride my horse around the ring...



:guitarist

[lady cop]

Paul Clinton for CNN...sorry i forgot to attribute it

[observer1]

I'd really like to see that. Supposed to be very good. I read about it in the Rolling Stone.

I'd also like to see Ray. Did anybody see that? I heard that one was very good, too.

[Bez]

My husband is a HUGE Johnny Cash fan. He has every CD and a few DVDs going back years. He will be eager to watch this film. Thanks for the info.

[lady cop]

.... Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon in "Walk the Line."

[lady cop]

more.............20th Century Fox: Walk the Line

[clownshoes]

I'm really excited about this movie, it's got a great cast, and I'm really impressed that the stars actually learned to sing and play instruments for the movie. Definitely looks like an Oscar contender.

[OpenMind]

Not a country fan generally, but Johnny was a genre by himself. Great songs. Look forward to seeing this movie.

[StupidCowboyTricks]

I was going to see it tonight but maybe a matenea tomorrow, maybe we will wait until Thanksgiving night.......I'm on vacation now (one week and a day):p

I enjoy Bio's........Capote was very good also.

[Bez]

StupidCowboyTricks wrote: I was going to see it tonight but maybe a matenea tomorrow, maybe we will wait until Thanksgiving night.......I'm on vacation now (one week and a day):p

I enjoy Bio's........Capote was very good also.


Be sure to let us know what it's like...pity it isn't going to be on DVD before Christmas...my hubbie would love it in his stocking.

[StupidCowboyTricks]

Bez wrote: Be sure to let us know what it's like...pity it isn't going to be on DVD before Christmas...my hubbie would love it in his stocking.


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[Nomad]

SnoozeControl wrote: Yeah baby! The lovely Joaquin is one of the best actors alive... have you watched "Gladiator"? He's the driving force. I'm so looking forward to seeing this movie.




Are you cereal ? The best actor alive ?! He is adequate at best. Gadiator ? The driving force ?! Oh my God sneezer ! The story itself was the driving force along with the intensity with which Russel Crow portrayed his character. Joaquin Phoenix was miscast for this role. Dont make me come over there sneezer. :p

[lady cop]

i am fairly certain most PBS stations will broadcast Johnny Cash story on wednesday evening, dec. 7, if you want to view his career and old clips. (check your local listings).:guitarist

[hamdiderot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoozeControl

Yeah baby! The lovely Joaquin is one of the best actors alive... have you watched "Gladiator"? He's the driving force. I'm so looking forward to seeing this movie.



Are you cereal ? The best actor alive ?! He is adequate at best. Gadiator ? The driving force ?! Oh my God sneezer ! The story itself was the driving force along with the intensity with which Russel Crow portrayed his character. Joaquin Phoenix was miscast for this role. Dont make me come over there sneezer.


i share that point with SnoozeControl, i mean Phoenix was the driving force in Gladiator. Anybody who got a full DVD can listen to the commentary of Ridley Scott and know the way he thinks about the performance of Joaquin.

Apart from that , even as character , i think Commodus son of Aurelius is the emperor and the principal if not the only antagonist , which needs much power and character(reminds me of Al in The Merchant of Venice).

Walk the Line is as good ( i mean maybe far better for Joaquin Phoenix) where we see him fighting dependency on drugs and finally singing for prison inmates(like guest artist).