Walk the Line is Above the Line

Rating: 10/10 (18 November 2005)

Over the years, I'd seen my share of somewhat good and really terrible bio-pics. This film blows everything out of the water. It's the most riveting film of this genre that I've seen since "Frances". This didn't have that rushed, glaze-quickly-over-everything quality that I've seen in others. For instance, it's based on Johnny's two autobiographies, and Johnny and June did select the two actors and, possibly, the screenwriters, which gives this film credibility. There was also the good (practical, really) idea to cover his childhood through the Folsom Prison appearance. It's only right - the film is 2.5 hours and Folsom Prison was a phenomenal comeback for him.
Now, I've adored Cash since I was 6, and my family wasn't really into country, but we had the Boy Named Sue and Folsom Prison singles, so I got a good sample of the Man in Black. Having been a fan for over 30 years, I was really looking forward to seeing this film. I figured that if anything, I'll be spending 2 hours "checking out Cash", as it were.
The opening credits gave me goosebumps. The first shot is that of a really cold, horrible, cloudy day with a prison off in the distance. The camera veers to the left and we see the "Folsom Prison" sign. Then we hear the fading in sounds of applause, crowd noise, pounding tables, stomping feet, the rhythm section of the Tennessee Two, and from there, it was cinematic magic. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are shown as you've never seen them before. The wet-behind-the-ears Irish fireman of Ladder 49 meets the dog-toting ditz from "Legally Blonde". Great chemistry between the two. I really rooted for the two to get together (even though, of course, I knew they would, but it was fun to see how they got together). Also, Ginnifer Goodwin bears the thankless task (hope she gets "supporting actress") of his vicious, selfish, shrew of a first wife. Robert Patrick, as daddy Ray (ironic, isn't it) serves as the villain of the childhood scenes, and Goodwin is the villain of his early career, both of whom try to break his spirit and destroy his confidence in himself. "God took the wrong boy" - "that's no band, those are just two mechanics who can barely play". Frankly, if anyone can rise up like a phoenix from those two piles of ashes, anyone can do anything. Very inspiring. I walked out of the theater feeling really hopeful about life, and you will, too.