Let's do it; let's fall in love

Rating: 8/10 (2 March 2006)

So, every year, before the Oscars take place, I try to watch or catch any film that has anything to do with them; specially the five nominated ones. Now it's Oscar week, and as I do all that, I found myself sitting down and watch "Walk the Line", which is not one of the Best Picture nominees, but a strong contender in other categories.
Let's say that when you watch a film knowing it is nominated for something, you do it differently. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Whiterspoon are nominated for their roles as Johnny Cash and June CarterI was not that much looking at them, but more like studying them; their chemistry, accents and impersonation, channel or imitation or however you want to call it (it is ultimately a performance anyhow).
These two persons were truly in loveI fall short. These two persons were deeply; madly in loveI fall short. These two hearts were unitedI could be getting close. What Phoenix and Whiterspoon do to bring that passion alive is amazing. Beginning with their chemistryWe all know the charismatic blonde can feel the chemistry with any other actor, in her romantic comedies. But this is drama, and it gives a whole new depth to the matter.
If you watch "Election" or "Cruel Intentions" or "Pleasantville" you'll find a young, ambitious and talented actress. But this is a turn; "Walk the line" shows us the character actor in her; the dramatic power she owns. She and Phoenix go to the highest levels, take the highest risksAnd succeed. Johnny Cash's was a life of depression, uncertainty and craziness; but there was always one light in his life: the fact of knowing who his woman wasAnd that was June Carter.
Phoenix laughed when receiving the Best Comedy Actor Golden Globe: "Who would have pictured me winning something about comedy", he laughed. He wouldn't laugh at the Oscars if he won; he would be grateful but probably uninterested. That's the way he is, that's the way he played Johnny Cash and another bunch of characters. But Cash highlights, of course. Because of his persona, his lifeHis music and songs, which Phoenix (unlike Jamie Foxx last year) sang himself.
Whiterspoon also sang the songs, got the accent and the personality of her character right. I don't know what she's planning to say, but I'm betting all on her favor for this Sunday, because I believe she'll win, because I saw it when she was singing "Jackson" alongside Phoenix, looking at him with love and desire, as Johnny and June must have looked at each other during their lives.
And James Mangold made all the right calls. I knew he was good directing actors because he got the best out of Stallone and the best out of Winona Ryder in a movie she didn't (but should have) get nominated for. Now I know he made all the right calls with this movie because he could have directed a film about Cash and his ups and downs, but he directed a film about his and June's ups and downs, which is a lot better.
He made the right calls because his film could have been one of those VH1 episodes about the life of a singer, but he made a strong and centered film with a defined objective. I understand this was a personal project for him, so, had he done it for VH1, he wouldn't have got the recognition he wanted and deserved. Phoenix and Whiterspoon's nominations are also Mangold's.
He made the exactly right calls because he based, together with Gill Dennis, his screenplay on Cash's own writings. It goes through the music career, a very good scene of his first audition, his first concert, and of course his love life. Finally, he ended up delivering us a story that's so, but so extremely potent, that it sticks with you for a while: it's contagious.
You've got to feel something when Johnny walks from a town to another, all wasted, just to see June. You've got to feel touched when Johnny tries to kiss June, and after she denies he says: "It just happened", and June looks at him, recounting everything he does and demanding he should take credit for something.
You can't stay still when John is about to touch bottom, down in the trees, about to fall into the river and June's mother looks at her: "You go with him June", and she replies: "I don't want to go down there". "Honey", her mother concludes: "You are already down there".