Walk the Line Walks the Line Between Good and Bad

Rating: 5/10 (29 November 2005)

Walk the Line is a biography/drama about the life of the late country musician Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix). While there are some negative aspects of the filmsome violence, offensive language, and drug and alcohol usethere were positive aspects as well, including dedicated friendship, and care for those in prison. Therefore, I recommend this film on a conditional basis. Given the harsh language, violence, and other negative points earning the film a PG-13 rating, I do not believe this is an appropriate film for younger viewers. The parts of the life story of Johnny Cash that were shown in this film may be interesting and possibly educational to viewers, showing that the lives of famous people are not all they may appear on the surface.
Walk the Line was directed by James Mangold (Girl, Interrupted; Kate & Leopold; Identity), was written by Gill Dennis and James Mangold, and is based on the books Man In Black, and Cash: An Autobiography by Johnny Cash. The plot covers Johnny's boyhood and early affection for music, the tragic death of his beloved older brother, his hasty marriage to Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin), his start in the music industry, his struggles with drugs and alcohol, his failing marriage, and his friendship with country/gospel singer June Carter (Reese Witherspoon). The theme of the film has to do with the pain of harmful addictions and the healing power of a good friend.
Given the actual events of Johnny's life, it is expected that the film would show his problems with drinking, drugs, and marital unfaithfulness. Though some things Johnny and others did were not portrayed as wrong, as they should have been, Walk the Line did a reasonably good job of portraying most of Johnny's life problems as painful, and something from which he needed to escape. His alcoholism and drug addiction was a very noticeable disease in his life. June was a steady friend to Johnny, and helped and supported him in recovering from his addictions.
The film is well-made and easy to follow for the most part. The actors are convincing. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, did their own singing in the many concert scenes, and both did and excellent job. Several friends of Johnny's are popular singers of the time, including Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley.
So there are both negative and positive elements in this film. Some wrong actions are glossed over or glamorized, but other wrong actions are shown as wrong, and we can see the destructive consequences. The value of friendship is high, and June's love and loyalty to Johnny in his distress is commendable. One note on the real Johnny Cash, I have read, is that he became a Christian later in his life. As I understand it, his faith had a big impact on his life, but the film downplayed the influence of Christianity, and emphasized worldly success. Walk the Line walks a line between the good and bad. I encourage those who read it to do some research into the real Johnny Cash's life, and most importantly, look to the Bible to learn the way to true salvation and healing.