It lingers...

Rating: 9/10 (2 March 2006)

This is one of those movies that gets you deep inside and lingers in your system for a few days. It reminds us that life is never as you want it to be. We strive for what we think will make us happy but either we don't get it or, if we do, we're miserable anyhow. That's the human condition for you - I suppose you have to expect that from a true life story.
There is an excruciatingly strong sense of longing throughout the film, residing mainly within Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Johnny Cash. It begins with Johnny's longing for his (somewhat unbelievable perfect) dead brother, an event which flavours Phoenix's performance throughout the film  he never loses the vulnerability of the little boy who lost his soul mate brother. Some events live in us forever.
The sense of longing continues with Johnny's illicit love for June Carter, played by Reese Witherspoon, which, it seems, may be destined to never reach its conclusion. It's hard to take your eyes off Witherspoon. She's like a delicate china doll magically brought to life for the purpose of bringing joy to all mankind. She plays her role with fluidity and an incredible naturalness. The chemistry between Johnny and June is palpable from their first awkward encounter to the end of the movie.
Oh, and the singing's amazing  I'm thinking of buying a Cash / Carter CD but am wondering if I'll be disappointed with the real thing