Genres

Visitors Review

ajsmacdonaLd 2013-05-20 11:42:35

Cash and Carter done well.

I enjoyed this story. The acting was very well done. Witherspoon hascertainly moved to a new level. No longer is she the "blondie" or childactress in any regard. She has solidified her rising status byportraying June Carter as well as she did. As far as Phoenix wasconcerned, it was not so simple. I did not buy that he was Cash until amid-film point. What turned my opinion around was how he looked atWitherspoon on stage. While performing together it was hard to ignorethe long stares of admiration in addition to tortured looks ofrejection he gave her. I think this was the point where his rolestarted to be authentic and put Phoenix in the right direction. I thinkmechanically, Phoenix was just a bit off the mark. Not suggesting thathe didn't move like Cash. But he was just so slightly shy of completelygrasping Cash's moves physically. As I watched the movie "Ray", I wasastonished at the gestures and physical moves Foxx had perfected to thedegree that I had to remind myself that I wasn't watching Ray Charles,himself. The second half of the movie, my doubts of Phoenix's portrayalof Cash subsided. Executed superbly was the struggle, friction andtension between Cash and his father. It was tangible. I also think theaudience felt the chemistry between Witherspoon and Phoenix. There wasno mistaking it. Only in Hollywood could an extramarital affair becondoned with the addition of drug and alcohol abuse. But, alas! We areall human I suppose. I enjoyed this story so much. I wish there weremore films done with such excellent taste and expertise. An excellentjob for Phoenix. An outstanding achievement for Witherspoon. Reese, thepace car is off....You're on your way to the top.

cash_gr8 2013-05-19 20:57:08

fantastic

hey i thought this was a wonderful movie!!! and shows what a wonderfulman johnny cash was and his love for June!! wonderfully played by bothReese and Joaquin!!! get a 10/10 from me any day!! i loved the scenewere June's parents scared away the drug dealer,when him and his bandwere drunk on the tour! all of it was great! I saw this movie in cocoabeach and i am annoyed it isn't out in Scotland yet thats where i live)can't wait to see it again!! and ill be bringing all my friends &family as my grandpa,father,mother is a fan! i even started playingguitar to play his music,such talent:D i wish there is more of it thesedays! xx-xx

2013-05-12 23:12:28

Walk The Line Review

This movie is the best movie ever!! I loved it and I think you will enjoy it too. I think everyone who sees it will enjoy it.

Psi 2013-05-12 12:54:21

Walks a fine line between success and failure

Walk The Line is the latest Oscar-baiting biopic, the subject in thiscase being twenty-five years in the life of Johnny Cash (played as anadult by Joaquin Phoenix). Naturally, his rise to the peak of hissuccess as a recording artist is chronicled, but additionally, hisrelationships with his father (Robert Patrick), first wife (GinniferGoodwin) and fellow band member June Carter (Reese Witherspoon) play aprominent part in this tale, as well as his personal battle against thepills.A really, really good biopic could have been made out of this. And itshould have been. So why hasn't it been? After all, the actors playtheir parts so well (more on them later) and the music in the film isso good (more on that later too). Alas, something is lacking in thescript department.An uplifting tour through Johnny Cash's life will certainly satisfymost viewers. But as a Cash novice, I wanted something of moresubstance. Something that would help us understand Cash's charactermore, rather than just routinely showing us what he did. Director JamesMangold not only fails to develop the characters convincingly enough(yeah, we see the two leads' families, but little else) but alsostruggles to retain hold of a meandering narrative that sometimesbores. Some emotional scenes don't hit the mark, and Mangold has atendency to hammer home the few rather banal messages that his scripthas for us. (When watching the film, I thought "Alright James, we getit!" at least twice.) Yes, Cash fans. I do realise that you may notnotice most, if not all, of the things I complained about above. But wehave to take all viewers into account here.Anyway, onto the positives...Joaquin Phoenix has established himself as one of the decade's mostdependable actors. Four films he has starred in (Gladiator, Quills,Buffalo Soldiers, Hotel Rwanda) have been among my favourite films oftheir respective year of release. It's somehow ironic that Walk TheLine will not be one of those, for his portrayal of Johnny Cash isdefinitely one of his better portrayals. It's especially enjoyable towatch him perform Cash's material on stage (and yes, he did sing thesongs himself). Unfortunately, the script doesn't allow him to inhabitCash's character entirely, and that may well cost him the Oscar.As June Carter, Reese Witherspoon brings her usual charm back to thescreen. Thankfully, there are no traces of Elle Woods in thisdown-to-earth portrayal. She even manages to flesh her character out alittle near the end of the film. It's not quite an Oscar-worthyperformance, but it is very impressive nonetheless. She and Phoenixhelp to keep you almost consistently interested in the proceedings, andthe supporting cast capably assist them.Finally...I must mention the music. The decision to hire O Brother,Where Art Thou?'s composer, T-Bone Burnett, was inspired. Don't besurprised to find yourself humming some of the songs you hear after youhave seen the film.The above elements are enough to make Walk The Line a watchable film,if not a particularly inspired one. One thing it has definitely done ismake me interested in finding out more about the life, times and musicof Johnny Cash. I'm sure it may do the same for others who arerelatively new to Cash's material.

badidosh 2013-05-08 03:27:06

Ladies and gentlemen, Johnny Cash!

Johnny Cash gets the big screen treatment a year after Ray Charles. Imust admit, though, that initially I had reservations about this film.Honestly now, I feel that it's very much the kind of film we'resubjected to every now and then. You know, that based on a true to lifestory of someone who rose to top after being down that's bound to jerkthe tears out of you.So somehow I entered the theater having the wrong expectations but wentout getting a different impression. Yes, considering its Hollywoodnature, it can be manipulative at times and it still has to follow acertain formula, but director James Mangold ("Girl, Interrupted,""Identity") manages to make "Walk the Line" more than its narrative ofa celebrity who stumbles and rises up again. It's a film featuringsuperb performances and some nice crooning.As I've said, "Walk the Line" is the story of Johnny Cash (JoaquinPhoenix). It follows his childhood days in rural Arkansas, through hisearly music career, through his obsession with future wife June Carter(Reese Witherspoon), and through his inevitable downfall.Of course, the thing with biopics is that if you've seen enough of thegenre you'll presume you'll know how the story will unfold up until thecredits and then you can figure out the theme of life-affirmation. Butthat's hardly fair with the point of the movie. The film is about thecharacter of Cash and how his humanity has failed to cope witheverything that's happened in his story. Mangold and his co-writer GillDennis brilliantly stayed faithful to the story of the man they werepaying their respects to."Walk the Line" is set in the post-World War II era, with culture ingeneral and music in particular experiencing a great transition. It'sunderlined with a cinematography that borders on retrospective. There'sone gorgeous shot during one of Cash and his band's performance which Ithink was done somewhat in high contrast, and it added a touch ofsophistication and subtlety to the scene. It's this great use oftechnique that gives the film its emotional impact.Of course, no review of the film is ever complete without sayingsomething about the performances of the leads. Honestly, I think thisis Phoenix's best performance to date. His authentic portrayal of thelegendary singer is complemented with great crooning and such adelicate tenderness. Witherspoon's performance gives soul to the film,and her understated voice is a joy to listen to. She proves howtalented actor she is and that she's more than the roles she usuallyplays.In the end, I liked it. It's still formulaic, but not in the same veinas most of its predecessors have gone through. Fans of Cash may be gladto know that Mangold has brought them their idol's time of his lifewith a film filled with nice writing, brilliant direction, and greatacting and singing.

2013-05-07 17:02:03

Involving film, great performances

Phoenix and Witherspoon really make this film. They are amazingly good performers who between the two of them have built up a remarkable resume of performances and top it off with this film. Both of them deserved to win Academy Awards for the job they did and the fact that Phoenix didn't is only because P.S. Hoffman also did such a remarkable job.Anyway, I was never a big Cash fan (had nothing against him, just didn't know much about him or his music) but this film really made you appreciate him and June Carter as people and as performers. For a thought-provoking, touching evening of film, rent this movie.

Sunsetb-2 2013-04-29 08:15:55

Excellent movie

Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon give amazing performances. I wasvery impressed with their singing and speaking voices. They are bothvery close to Johnny Cash and June Carter. The movie also captured the look and feel of the 1950's and thesouthern states where most of the music was performed.Very interesting bio. Learned a lot about Cash's motivation and the"demons" that drove him to drugs and alcohol.I believe they both deserve an Oscar nomination but will be surprisedif either receives an Oscar.Excellent movie. Best I've seen in 2005.

2013-04-28 16:36:43

We Walk With Them

Another great 2005 movie. It is nostalgic, filled with songs some of us grew up with. Songs that the newer generation will love too because they're so real. Reese Witherspoon is great as June Carter and Joaquin Phoenix is Johnny Cash. He really is the music legend of the 50s and 60s. Highly recommended.

2013-04-24 07:34:22

But I'm Not A Johnny Cash Fan...

Ohhh, but trust me, you will be after you watch this movie.Walk The Line is an amazing movie about a part of Johnny Cash's life, namely his love affair with June Carter that manages to fit in other parts of his very talented filled-with-ups-and-downs life as well perfectly, without overdoing or underdoing it.Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are perfect fits for Johnny Cash and June Carter. Their chemistry together in the movie is flawless. Surely Joaquin Phoenix must have been Johnny Cash in a past life. The singing is terrific too, Phoenix does an mind-blowing job. IMO he should have won an Academy Award for his performance. No complaints about this movie ... I give it an A+ across the board.

femke-schoonackers 2013-04-23 23:17:32

mind blowing

This movie has made me realize what great music johnny Cash made in hisdays; I knew little of his repertoire (and his life!) before I watchedit. Joachim Phoenix did an amazing job as Cash, as well as Reese as themind blowing and lovely June Carter. I was literary blown away by thesoundtrack! knowing they had recorded all the songs by themselves! Thedirectors made the right choices to compose the story! The songs set meto tears! Now, when I listen to the original Cash, the original June... I canrelate to their history, which I never even really knew before! I caneven relate to it, knowing what they have been through in their time...Femke

grumpybear_22 2013-04-18 09:05:44

walk the line

The music is wonderful, great job all around by everyone. Joaquin doinghis own singing...he took on a huge task by trying to step into theshoes of the "Man In Black" he did so great I really do feel he willwalk away with an Oscar. Reese also did her own singing and good forher, she did a great job singing "Jackson." I highly recommend thisfilm to everyone! I would say this is quite a roller-coaster film ofemotion. Their is sadness, happiness, laughter, andpeacefulness...great film...another fun point to the movie is that itlets you in on how they interacted with one another on the road. It wasfun too see how Elvis and Jerry Lee played around with everyone. Thismovie was done just right.

Brigid O Sullivan 2013-04-17 23:13:55

A great surprise!

I did not go willingly to see this, it was a toss-up between "Syriana"and "Walk the Line" and WTL won and I'm so glad. This is mainly a feelgood effort from James Mangold and many of the warts of Johnny Cash aredepicted, some in great detail: nothing is spared in the depiction ofhis first marriage and how selfish and neglectful his behaviour wastowards his wife and daughters mainly through his use and abuse ofdrugs and alcohol. This is all stuff that was common knowledge.However, the underlayers to this were a brother who was accidentallykilled and a father who blamed Johnny for being the son who was sparedwhen his brother was so much more superior. Johnny's father has his owndemons. What truly brings magic to the screen are the performance ofthe two leads and their surprisingly incredible voices. Joaquin Phoenixand Reese Witherspoon give their all and capture the spirits of Johnnyand June Cash so extraordinarily well it is almost surreal. Bravo toall, well done! 9 out of 10.

Eaglegrafix 2013-04-12 09:47:55

You Get only a Glimpse

I've waited a long time for "Walk the Line." A fan of Johnny Cash allmy life, I was anxious to see a movie about his life. No movie can dojustice to a man like Johnny Cash in the time permitted. But the partof his life this movie deals with, is does well as far as the story andgives a strong performance of what it chooses to show about the singer.My opinion is that it leaves out some very important things aboutJohnny Cash. I never got to see in this film the creative intelligenceof the Man In Black when it came to his ability to write songs andmusic. I see it in the way he deals with situations in his life but nototherwise. It was something that made him good all his career that wasmissing. About the two main roles. Reese Witherspoon absolutelyconvinced me I was watching June Carter (with the exception of thefirst scene she was in). Sorry, but I am not one who is crazy aboutJuaquin Phoenix's performance. As good as it was, he only had meconvinced during the scenes he was singing. That part of hisperformance was powerful but that is where I think he concentrated hisstudy and efforts. In the non singing scenes I had flashbacks to otherJuaquin roles - especially in Gladiator. There are other actors thatcould have matched Reese's performance level - whether they wereconsidered or offered, I do not know.

2013-04-11 21:40:45

Wonderful!

From start to finish Walk the Line is a wonderful film. Joaquin Phoenix does a great job portraying the Man in Black, from the swagger in his walk to the singing to the stone cold look in his eyes. What an amazing casting decision! Reese Witherspoon does an equally good job portraying June Carter Cash.If you are a fan of Johnny Cash, this film is a must see. It's a roller coaster of a film that plays on all your emotions, it'll have you laughing and crying and rooting for Johnny. Five Stars!

praybird 2013-04-03 21:49:09

humble and great storytelling

Normally I'm not a great fun of Hollywood biopics as a genre but inthis case it works just perfect! I don't think there could've being anybetter way to bring life of Johny Cashon on screen. The choice ofactors is fantastic. It was also a beautiful surprise for me to hearthem both sing so well. And I'd like to mention that the chemistrybetween the two of them is just breathtaking. About the director JamedMangold. He's already done some real good films and with "work theline" he proves one's again his talent for the storytelling. He's thisrare type of a film director who are not seeking to bring his personaall the time in each of their movies, if you know what I mean, he'sjust wants to tell a good story.

2013-04-03 05:54:32

Very very good, but reality is even darker

This movie was very good and the performances by Phoenix and Witherspoon were wonderful. My only critique is that Johnny Cash's actual life was even more dramatic than this film. His addiction was much greater and took a lot more to kick than one drying out session at his house. He went more than once to Betty Ford and fought his addiction most of his life. I would have liked it to be a bit darker because that would be closer to reality. However, the movie was wonderful and I would definitely add it to my collection. Joaquin Phoenix did a fabulous job. He is totally believable as Johnny Cash. Reese Witherspoon is also wonderful as June Carter, but if I had to pick one "best performance" it would be Phoenix.

Polaris_DiB 2013-03-30 20:45:06

When everything works together...

Honestly, I was incredulous when Ray was getting all the attention itwas getting.I was incredulous when Walk the Line was getting all the attention itwas getting.And what do you know but that is but an arbitrary and minor parallelthat ties these two brilliant works of art together.While some people might complain about a formula developing, such acomplaint is slightly unfair. Sure, the focus of the two movies aresimilar enough that the exposition of the storyline sometimes seems abit familiar, something that in a time where originality is upheld asone of the highest virtues, might lead people in the wrong directionabout regarding works such as these critically.So they both involve a death of a brother at a young age. Uh, thosedeaths? They actually happened. So they both involve drug addiction.Uh, that actually happened. So they both involve adultery and speciallove interest. Well, that actually happened. And you say it's a shamehow both deal so much with post-traumatic stress disorder? Well... withthe things they've gone through.But focusing on Walk the Line alone now, let us contemplate on whatthis movie so GOOD.For one thing, the acting comes readily to mind. Acting is one of themost readily apparent and focused on parts of film-making for thereason that it's basically what makes or breaks the story. The actingin this film? Brilliant, and I'm not just saying that. Joaquinphoenix's role isn't just unbelievable... it's really believable. ReeseWitherspoon pulls of June Carter and honestly it's difficult to imaginean actress like her actually pulling the strings like that. Okay, soI'm biased because she's been in mainstream movies of littleimportance. But that's the point: she does really well, completelyredefining my image of her.And then they can both sing, which I find hilarious considering mostvocalists of modern bands can't even seem to sing yet two actors canand can also sing exactly like the people they're portraying. Ahhh, thestate of modern music... but I digress.Secondly, the writing. As discussed above, the story follows the samerough outline as Ray, but it is different in this way: Johnny Cash is adifferent character than Ray Charles. Furthermore, the story they tellof Johnny Cash's life is very good, very touching, and very wellpresented. It made the music itself seem that much more powerful.Oh, and the music. I'm no fan of country music, and I haven't had muchexposure to Johnny Cash besides listening to the live prison albumalluded to in the movie, but this is some very strong stuff. It's easyto imagine that miming and overrecording would have been used, but themere fact that it wasn't just adds one of those indefatigable aspectsof what makes this movie work so well.Then of course there's the directing and the cinematography.Specifically, if anyone's doubting the impactfulness of the work behindthe camera, I argue to rewatch that long shot where Cash tears apartthe bathroom. Watch how everything possible seems to be at full workhere, movement, zoom, acting, makeup, set design, music, atmosphere,lighting, all targeted in such a way that it does not feel reasonableto assume that such a take could ever be done again, even if all thesame mechanics were at work.Okay, so I've basically just hyped it up a whole lot more, adding tothat same hype that has people tired and sick of the whole idea of themovie before they've seen it. Admit it, the mere fact that it's beennominated for some Oscars means that it already feels overrated. I knowexactly what you mean......afterall, what made me wait to see it so long? But whatever. Thinkwhat you want. I think this film is pretty darned great. I'm justsayin'.--PolarisDiB

2013-03-30 01:30:08

4 and a half stars for one memorable movie...

Walk The Line shows the legendary singer, Johnny Cash, during his impressive career. This movie will keep you entertained from start to finish and will only make you want to see it again and again, it's that good. With stars like Joaquin Pheonix and Reese Witherspoon portraying Johnny Cash and his wife, June Carter, this movie is filled with powerhouse performances.Walk The Line is unique and entertaining because it has all the singers actually sing their own songs instead of editing Cash's own voice into the movie. Reese Witherspoon took singing lessons and really shines in some music scenes as she sings for audiences in the movies. Pheonix shows he can sing too and gets the crowds going so well you can't help but tap your foot along with the music.The acting is great also, as every character adds their bit into the movie to make you feel as if you were witnessing Cash's life when he was still a young man. Some great scenes have him starting to sing for a record company and sing about his problems with the air force and his lifestyles.The movie starts off with Cash as a young man back in Arkansas who is noticed for his unique voice and how he sang about different topics that normally would create controversy and disbelief with people. His life takes a turn for stardom as he takes a tour around the country and meets up with June Carter, who he later starts a relationshp with.Reese Witherspoon was absolutely wonderful as a young woman who was great to every fan who talked to her and went out of her way to start a conversation with anyone who asked for an autograph from her. She and Cash had a rocky relationship as they both fall for each other, become disgusted with each other as Cash's drug problem gets out of control, and eventually agree to marry one another in a great scene where Cash proposes on stage in a show in Canada. It's great seeing how Cash became famous for his singing, and we also see greats he is travelling with such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. I also found the scenes with Cash dressing up all in black and his performance inside the prison the best scene of them all, with Cash taking his hat off to the inmates who have to drink horrid, brown looking water.This is one movie you need to see to understand how great it really is. Phoenix and Witherspoon are fantastic, the singing is wonderful, and the entertainment is off the charts.Extras:10 deleted scenescommentary by James Mangold, the co writer and director of the moviePlus More!

pgauthier66 2013-03-25 09:04:14

Best film of 2005

I saw all the film nominations for best film at the Oscars 2005 andthis one is the best. I saw all the film nominations for best film atthe Oscars 2005 and this one is the best. I saw all the filmnominations for best film at the Oscars 2005 and this one is the best.I saw all the film nominations for best film at the Oscars 2005 andthis one is the best. I saw all the film nominations for best film atthe Oscars 2005 and this one is the best. I saw all the filmnominations for best film at the Oscars 2005 and this one is the best.I saw all the film nominations for best film at the Oscars 2005 andthis one is the best. I saw all the film nominations for best film atthe Oscars 2005 and this one is the best.

Rog 2013-03-24 14:37:04

It Seemed Like Cash was Starring as Himself

This is a very well made movie. This is as good or better than the Ray Charles movie. Phoenix and Witherspoon make a hot couple. Whitherspoon captures the essence of June Carter Cash and Phoenix emulates Cash so well it felt like I was watching Cash himself. Phoenix somehow manages to emulate Cash without appearing like he is a charicature. I am going to see this film again and bring the family.