An Oscar Winner For Sure

Rating: 10/10 (27 January 2006)

Joaquin Phoenix has outdone himself in this performance as Johnny Cash. I was awestruck. True - Phoenix is too good looking to be Cash. But put that aside. His performance was off the charts. I've never seen ANYONE who could actually become the person he was portraying as Phoenix has done in this movie. It's beyond description. I had heard he had done his own singing in the movie, and as I watched I thought to myself, "I must have heard wrong." He doesn't have an "awesome" voice, but then neither did Cash. But take it from me, he can sing! My husband - sitting next to me - whispered, "He must be lip sync-ing." (He was unaware of the fact that Phoenix was supposed to have done his own singing.) The scene where he's at Folsum Prison is absolutely priceless. (Short, but priceless.)
Reese Whitherspoon is perfect as the perky June Carter. And her voice is amazing. The evolving of their love affair was played out with such tenderness. I especially appreciated how each detail was created to build upon the next in order to show how Johnny and June were meant for each other.
I'm not sure which kept happening more during the movie- my heart swelling with emotions like anger, compassion, and love, or my jaw dropping because of the unbelievable acting
If Joaquin Phoenix doesn't get an Oscar for this performance there's something seriously wrong with the Academy.