Steady like a Train, Sharp like a Razor

Rating: 8/10 (19 November 2005)

Greetings again from the darkness. Although I am not sure Johnny Cash gets due credit for his impact in the music world, I was very pleased when I heard that this film was going to be made. Supposedly Cash and his wife, the talented June Carter, hand picked Joaquin Phoenix and Reece Witherspoon to star. Whether true or a bit of legend, the two leads are nothing short of fantastic. Phoenix reminds of Gary Busey's turn as Buddy Holly more than 25 years ago.
Writer/Director James Mangold ("Identity" "Girl Interrupted") does a really nice job balancing the personal and musical development of Cash the man, with a love story for the ages between John and June. Many films struggle to have one decent story line and this one manages to do justice to two. Phoenix and Witherspoon do all their own singing and it seems as if Phoenix is gaining most of the publicity for his vocals and acting, while Witherspoon seems to be getting lost in the shuffle. This is a shame because her energy onstage and strength during other scenes are really at the heart of the movie, much as I suspect June's strength was at the heart of the real life marriage. Nevertheless, both are outstanding performances and a joy to behold. The scenes of the Folsom Prison concert are raw and heartfelt.
Make no mistake, the film does show warts and all. June's (2) marriage failures, and John's marital problems and addiction to pills that nearly ruined his life and career. Watching Cash's struggle to please his father (played chillingly by "T-2"'s Robert Patrick) will make you uncomfortable, as will his scenes with first wife Vivian (played well by Ginnifer Goodwin).
My only criticisms of the film stems from the fact that it really glosses over all the issues with the children and that the Sun Record tour members are generally miscast ... the exception being Waylon Payne as Jerry Lee Lewis.
The supporting cast was solid overall. Country Singer Shelby Lynne has little to do as Cash's mother; in a nice touch Waylon Jennings' real life son Scooter plays him; James Keach produces and plays the Folsum warden; and Sandra Ellis Lafferty is spot on as Mother Maybelle Carter.
The amazingly talented T Bone Burnett handles the music in the film and does a nice job with the selections as well as the pace. The film probably will appeal to those over 40, but younger viewers should go to get a better understanding of the roots of country, folk and rock music. At the same time, they will be treated to a very real and touching love story.