Walk the Line glows like a ring of fire

Rating: 8/10 (26 November 2005)

Powerfully emotional and musically triumphant, "Walk the Line" lives up to its title in presenting the turbulent life of music legend Johnny Cash. Director James Mangold does not simply capture Cash's life but also expertly shows the emotional hell and physical pain he endured on the road and at home. Mangold's direction succeeds especially well in laying out the love story between Cash and his wife, June. To say the portrayals of the Cashes by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are well done would be an understatement. The actors pull off such a brilliant performance that it is a mirror image of the singing duo. Even to those who are not fan's of Cash's music, "Walk the Line" will make you a fan of his life.
Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) had a troubled childhood growing up in Arkansas. His family was poor and his father (Robert Patrick) always looked down upon him. His solace lied in music taught to him by his mother. While working as a salesman, Cash comes across a record company who offers his band a tryout. Impressed with Cash's new style of music and lyrics, the producer places Cash on tour with big names such as Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. While on tour, Cash meets singer June Carter (Reese Witherspoon) whom he relentlessly attempts to woo for many years. The riggers of the tour also take a tremendous toll on Cash as he succumbs to the rock star lifestyle and suffers the consequences of those actions. When Cash hits bottom, only he has the capability to clean himself up to get his career and his life back on track.
James Mangold's direction is a wonderful tool is telling Johnny Cash's life story. His style provides a foreshadowing of future events and yet does not give away any of the story. Mangold's camera work and use of lighting are essential in capturing the mood of the setting and Cash's emotions. The devices also come into play in camouflaging Phoenix into Cash. Mangold's increase of lighting and turbulent camera movement illustrates Cash's troubled mind and anger and the emotion emits through the screen. Through these devices, the audience is able o better understand Cash's state of mind and his own rationalities for his actions.
Mangold along with screenwriter Gill Dennis create a great adaptation to the life of Johnny Cash. Basing their story from two of Cash's autobiographies, they achieve an admirable feat by not simply focusing the terrible things Cash did and experienced. Throughout the film, Mangold and Dennis manage to alive keep the flirting and love that flows between Cash and Carter. No matter the depth of the trouble Cash finds himself in, Carter is always by his side and the theme is never forgotten.
Portraying a musical icon with the charisma and talent of Johnny Cash cannot be a mere impression of the man. It is in this truth that the Man in Black made the perfect choice in selecting Joaquin Phoenix for the role. Phoenix excels in not only capturing the mannerisms and personality of the legend but also succeeds in playing guitar and singing as Cash did. While Phoenix does slip a few instances with his vocals, he more than makes up for it with his acting ability. This comes into play throughout the film as Phoenix has to carry on a wide range of emotions: anger with his father, love for June Carter, and the heartbreak of disappointment. Reese Witherspoon is equally amazing in challenging the persona of June Carter Cash. Witherspoon achieves her own singing and musical performances that rivals and at times surpasses her co-star. As June Carter, Witherspoon emits a different kind of pain. Whereas Johnny Cash did not care what people thought of him, Carter endured criticism for her personal life decisions. Witherspoon's portrayal makes her a very sympathetic character that the audience will rally behind and support. In a not to be forgotten supporting role is Ginnifer Goodwin as Cash's first wife, Vivian. Goodwin makes Vivian an equally sympathetic character who loves her husband and wants him to be home with the family. Goodwin depicts Vivian well as a devoted wife who stood by her husband as best she could through everything they both endured. Audiences will feel her love and devotion to stand by her man despite his rock star lifestyle and Goodwin's execution of the role keeps Vivian in the minds of audiences throughout Cash's ordeals.
Mangold's direction and imagination combined with the outstanding performances of the cast bring the legend of Johnny Cash to fulfillment. Fans of Cash will be proud of the film and new comers will want to know more about the Man in Black. The film does not pull any punches in telling Cash's life story. It tells all aspects of his life and shows that even a legend can pick himself up when he is down. "Walk the Line" is what Johnny Cash lived by and encourages us to do the same.
Grade: A-