Phoenix and Witherspoon on fire

Rating: 8/10 (26 January 2006)

Opening at the Folsom prison, before Johnny Cash takes stage, we're shot back to his child hood. Living on a poor farm, with a cold hearted father, Jonh's brother Jake is killed in a freak accident. Stone hopping through the years, we go through Cash in the army, where he started writing songs and the beginnings of his marriage to Vivian Cash. Stuck in a door salesman job, Cash soon cuts a record, based on the songs he wrote in the army. From the popularity of the record, he sets on tour with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. On the tour he meets singer June Carter; in a recent messy divorce.
With a turbulent life, Cash spirals, with alcohol abuse, drug addiction and his adultery love for June. From the beginning of his marriage to Vivian, the marriage was rocky, only getting worse over the years. Still carrying the guilt of his brothers death, Cash is always in a constant state of making his father proud and accept him.
While not a fan of John Cash's music; and while this doesn't change my stance, Walk the Line is one of the most powerful film biography's, on one of country musics greatest musicians. Walk the Line blends perfectly a balance between the music and Cash's life, keeping the target audience wide for the non Cash fan. The drama between Cash's wife, father and June are so intense, and the raw emotion of the drama is vividly brought to the screen.
Giving powerhouse, mind blowing performances, Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are electrifying as Cash and Carter. Phoenix and Witherspoon are at the top of their game, delivering such powerful dramatic performances. Topping this is the singing, with both Phoenix and Witherspoon singing all the songs. While the supporting cast give great roles; Robert Patrick is wonderfully as Cash's father, they are over shadowed by Phoenix and Witherspoon.
Whether your a fan of Johnny Cash or not, Walk the Line is a excellent biography film on a singing legend.