A flawed repeat of "Ray"

Rating: 6/10 (25 November 2005)

I have seen this movie about 20 other times with the slight difference that it was about another famous person. "Ray" is the most recent example. Parallels were rampant. Let us compare "Ray" and "Walk the Line." Ray Charles experienced a rather monotonous life sprinkled with a drug addiction and affairs. Johnny Cash did, too. Ray Charles had a brother that died, and he was partially responsible. Johnny Cash did, too. Ray Charles was a famous musician from the mid-20th century. Johnny Cash was, too. Another complaint has not to deal necessarily with the movie, but its matter. Why is it that the rich and famous tend to mess up otherwise ideal lives? The song "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" quite accurately depicts my feelings about this subject. That wasn't necessarily the fault of those involved in making the film, but it's still something that irritates me about the "Walk the Line" and all of its copies. On the positive side, I must truly congratulate Reese Witherspoone on her terrific performance; I felt she did the best job. Phoenix followed behind for a close 2nd place. If you like biopics and/or are a Johnny Cash fan, you'd probably enjoy it. I'm not really either.