The Man in Black is a legend to many country music fans, with his deep, scratchy and unique voice. “Walk the Line” attempts to depict Johnny Cash’s early life.
The film focuses on Cash’s (Joaquin Phoenix) life from his hard childhood to his glory days, and the struggles in between. It also does not hesitate to depict the dark side of Cash, which includes his drug problems and his bitter father. But along with the bad times the film gives a fair idea of the heart and dedication Cash had to his music, as well as his ongoing attempts to win over June Carter (Reese Witherspoon).
It is a great movie, but no single film, a little over two hours, can do justice to the life of Johnny Cash, even though the movie wasn’t about his entire life. My only complaint is the movie should have been longer, in order to fully capture Cash’s life. It seems to skip over other important people in Cash’s life, like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, in order to keep focus on his chase for June Carter. For this reason the movie becomes a love story.
Phoenix and Witherspoon do such an amazing job as Johnny and June, at times you really think you are watching them perform. The two also do their own singing in the picture, which honestly amazed me, being a Cash fan.
The acting is Oscar worthy. “Walk the Line” will keep your attention for the duration of the film. Anyone who can stand very little cursing and depictions of drug use and dependency will probably love the film.