Sooner or later, God'll cut you down

Rating: Null/10 (12 August 2014)

Written and directed by James Mangold, "Walk the Line" charts the life and times of renowned country music artist Jonny Cash. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter, the woman with whom Cash has an elaborate romance.
Despite likable performances by Phoenix and Witherspoon, "Walk the Line" is wholly formulaic. Unfolding like a superhero origins tale, the film watches as Cash rises from humble beginnings, dons a costume, becomes a star, drug addict and then lover. Fidelity and faithfulness are the film's chief preoccupations – the "walking the line" of its title – Cash called upon to be faithful to a wife he betrays and then a lover he gives up a serious drug addiction to be with. Though a by-the-numbers biopic, and though it completely flattens and simplifies a rich life, "Walk the Line" is entertaining, glossy and ends on a cute note.
7.9/10 – Worth one viewing. See "Tender Mercies".