The Joaquin & Reese Show
Walk the Line
by Shawn Snead / November 18th, 2005
Johnny Cash is one of the most influential, admired, and loved musical artists in history. James Mangold's film adaptation of Cash's life, Walk the Line, doesn't quite do him justice, but still manages to entertain and bring the love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter to the big screen.
The story here is the acting. Joaquin Phoenix gives a remarkable performance as the late Johnny Cash. Unlike Jamie Foxx in Ray, Joaquin provides his own voice to the music in the film. Phoenix's performance is raw, captivating, and genuine. Just as or even more impressive is the performance of Reese Witherspoon, who also does her own singing, as June Carter, Cash's soulmate. While Phoenix is extraordinary and gives the more volatile performance, Reese truly anchors the film with her heart and soul. A frontrunner for Best Actress this awards season, Reese Witherspoon gives the breakout performance of her career. The chemistry between Joaquin and Reese does do justice to the love between Johnny and June. Even while Johnny may not have been to easiest man to love, Reese as June captures the enduring love that she had for him. Reese is amazing here, even if the film does manipulate her character a bit.
The biggest problem that I have with Walk the Line, aside from falling victim to the semi-formulaic biopic motions, is the depiction of Cash's drug dependency. Portraying the man as a junkie first and foremost, as the film does, is just not right. The film is over two hours, and most of that time spent on Cash's drug problems. I would have liked to have seen more of the relationship between Johnny and June. The film dives right into Cash's problems and June's unwavering support, without shedding much insight into it. Because of this, it's hard to buy the relationship. The film is entertaining, full of great technical aspects and terrific musical performances, but doesn't leave you with much that truly resonates.
The comparisons are inevitable between Walk the Line and Ray, for various reasons. While I do feel that Ray is the better film, Phoenix's portrayal of Cash is just as great as Foxx's of Charles. Ray was more of an autobiographical story of Ray's life, and shined a bit more insight on him. Walk the Line covers, for the most part, when Johnny and June fell in love, and of course, Cash's drug problems. Because of those reasons, Walk the Line feels a bit more limited and restrained than Ray.
Technically speaking, the film is surprisingly impressive. Of course in a musically driven film such as this, the sound quality of the film is something that needs to be at the top of it's game, and it surely is. Every song is alive and it's really a joy to listen to, and watch. DP Phedon Papamichael really captures the beauty and intimacy that the film had in its potential. During a scene when Johnny and June are just lying in bed, eating peanuts and laughing one morning, the camera just acts as a fly on the wall, providing a beautiful, intimate look into the lives of these two people. The musical performance scenes are also a joy to look at.
Walk the Line is sure to make noise this awards season, and at the Kodak Theatre on March 5th. It is an exceptional film with some extraordinary acting and technical facets, even if the film itself is a bit underwhelming.
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20th Century Fox
Running Time: 2 Hours, 16 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language, thematic material and depiction of drug dependency.
Release Date: Friday, November 18th, 2005
Viewed: Friday, November 18th, 2005
Starring Joaquin Phoenix (Johnny Cash), Reese Witherspoon (June Carter), Ginnifer Goodwin (Vivian Cash), Robert Patrick (Ray Cash), Dallas Roberts (Sam Phillips), Dan John Miller (Luther Perkins), Larry Bagby (Marshall Grant), Shelby Lynne (Carrie Cash), Tyler Hilton (Elvis Presley)
Produced By James Keach, Cathy Konrad
Written By Gill Dennis & James Mangold (Based on an autobiography by Johnny Cash)
Directed By James Mangold
posted by Shawn Snead @ 11/19/2005 12:17:00 AM
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