Uncanny Joaquin Phoenix performance in average bio-pic

Rating: 5/10 (9 June 2006)

Phoenix's portrayal of Johnny Cash's singing is absolutely uncanny. True, its pitchy on a couple of the low notes in Folsom Prison Blues, but he has almost all of the nuances in the tone perfect. The guitar playing is adequate, but the riffs that made Cash famous aren't quite there, but no complaints. There was only one Johnny Cash. This is truly an unbelievable performance, matched only by Kevin Spacey's singing of Bobby Darin tunes in Beyond the Sea.
Reese Witherspoon is also good, singing as June Carter, who was always in Johhny's "big fat shadow" in real life. If you're a June Carter fan, you'll love the singing. If you're like me, just sort of knew she was Johnny's wife, then the singing won't do much for you, although Reese does an excellent job in her portrayal.
Aside from the two outstanding performances by the stars, the move is your average predictable bio-pic. I thought it was a remake of "Ray"--tormented by losing a brother, starts out as nobody, struggles, gets good, gets into drugs and (POSSIBLE SPOILER) is finally rehabilitated and becomes immortal.