Sweet ... I'm really looking forward to the Johnny Cash bio-pic Walk the Line and one of our regular readers just sent in a detailed review of the film from an advanced test screening. Big thanks to Gummo for this ...
Folsom Prison. As stark and forbidding as any state penitentiary. A cutting silence gives an eerie feel of emptiness. However, there is an event in this prison, and the silence is broken as we can hear the sound of a cranked up band playing somewhere inside. The thumping double bass and noise of a excitable crowd resonating through the desolate prison corridors and empty cells. As we approach the source of this wonderful sound, a credit tells us this is based on both of Johnny Cash's autobiographies Man In Black, and Cash. This inspired and adrenaline charged intro perfectly setting the scene in James Mangold's movie.
Walk the line charts Cash from his childhood in the cotton fields of Arkansas (young J.R cash is played by Ridge Canipe), to the culmination of his infamous and iconic performance at Folsom Prison in 1968. Including along the way his signing to the infamous Sun records label in the mid 50's, shared by labelmates Jerry Lee Lewis (Waylon Payne) , Elvis (Tyler Hilton) and Carl Perkins (Johnny Holiday), to his meeting and falling in love with musician, singer and comedian June Carter (Reese Witherspoon). His instant stardom resulting in a long term struggle with amphetamines.
Phoenix provides an endearing performance as Johnny Cash, nailing the mannerisms, charm and of course, that voice. Cash's descent into addiction is handled with care, without ever desending into melodrama. The mental and physical fragility, and often intemperate behaviour of the man never over played. He is supported well by Witherspoon's warm hearted June Carter, ever tenacious during Cash's addiction. His pernicious behaviour threatening his career, friends, family and his own life.
Of course where the movie really hits hard is the music. It was no suprise to see this produced by legendary producer T.Bone Burnett (who also produced O Brother, Where Art Thou?). The scenes on stage roar with vital energy, not least the Folsom Prison scenes, the quintessential Johnny Cash performance. The bass thumps, the crowd roars and it's the Man In Black, tearing it up. The youthful exuberance, and raw singing talent of Phoenix and Witherspoon, perfectly blend in a natural chemistry. As Phoenix croons "I killed a man in Reno... Just to watch him die" It's hard not to let a huge grin spread from ear to ear.
As can be expected, in condensing Cash's story, some plot strands feel slightly rushed, and various supporting characters fall by the wayside. Ginnifer Goodwin struggles to convince as cash's constricting wife, and Robert Patrick and (musician) Shelby Lyne as his parents, though adequate, are not given the time to become fully formed characters. However, the appearances of fellow Sun artists Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis add some welcome comic relief moments, and a warmth of nostaligia to proceedings. A blink an you'll miss him moment with Waylon Jennings (played by his son Shooter Jennings) also gives a warm nod to those familiar with the scene.
Walk the Line is a vibrant look at one of the most important song writers of our times, capturing the essence and youthful energy of the man and musician in his prime of his career. Succeeding as both a heart warming drama and an authentic character study, this should prove a pleasure to both Johnny Cash fans, and those less familiar, alike.
Review by Gummo.
I don't know anything about Cash or his music, but this sounds really interesting.
I realize there are kids reading this, so I'll go easy on junior...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Cash
...Read up on him at Wikipedia, and if yer interested... buy his immortal music on iTunes (65 albums to choose from). Sorry, but "16 Horsepower" don't even BEGIN to come close to a career like that, son.
And as for Cash's cover of 'Hurt'. It is without doubt the most powerful, heartfelt music video I have ever seen.
Yeah, I know Woven Hand. Really excellent stuff ... I've ordered the DVD twice and it hasn't ever made it here. Some mailman somewhere is enjoying my DVDs ...
I like the Rubin produced Cash records ... the stripped back sound really suits hims ...
And as for Cash's cover of 'Hurt'. It is without doubt the most powerful, heartfelt music video I have ever seen.
Couldn't agree more...I have it on my computer, and am compelled to watch it at least once a month...
It's like he was writing his own Obiturary just before he died....PERFECT, HAUNTING, POIGNANT....great stuff...I like that 4-Disc Set on AMERICAN.
I heard Ginnifer Goodwin did a great job as Vivian. (the first wife)
Newsweek calls her performance "powerful" and she is being cited as a contender for best supporting actress for the Cash movie. Are you sure you saw it?
I saw it. Yeah Goodwin was amazing. The whole cast was phenomenal, I anticipate it will do very well in the box office. Can't wait to see it again.
I saw it last night at the Toronto International Film Festival.
You can read my review here:
http://davemadethis.blogspot.com/2005/09/tiff-walk-line-review.html
Let me know what you think please!
Cheers
I can tell that this is going to be an amazing movie. With Joaquin and Reese singing their own music and playing their own instruments, the movie is going to seem really authentic. I can't wait to see Tyler Hilton playing Elvis Presley in this movie. Tyler is an amazing musician and actor and I know it is going to show in this movie.
This looks like it's going to be a great film! I am looking forward to Reese playing a brunette, since she did magnificant in Legally Blonde 1 & 2! I am also really looking forward to seeing Tyler Hilton play Elvis Presley. I'm a huge fan, and this is his first movie role, so I'm so excited!
Johnny Holiday a great blues artists I heard played live guitar in this movie is that true?
Like I said before,this movie is going to rock!Did you guys know that all of Johnny Cash's songs that he ever sang, are for sale for $50.It seems that Gummo and I are the only one's that wrote about Cash, not really caring who plays the people in "Walk The Line", as long as they look a lot like the person and have the same kind of voice.Oh,Yeah.Blah,where the hell have you been?
I cant wait until this hits norwegian movie theatres,Cash is the greatest american that has ever lived..He is looking down on us from heaven with june carter,roy orbison and luther perkins and smiling...
Keep it Cash,then keep it good
Lifty
i was wondering if the soundtrack is actually johnny cash singing or phonix's voice.will some of you email me and let me know if you know for sure. thanks, arthur
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The soundtrack is the actors singing NOT Johnny.
http://www.walkthelinemusic.com/music.html
just saw the movie "walk the line "this afternoon. Reese is great but Phoenix is greater. can't believe that he sang the songs in the movie himself until i read the comments u guys posted. have heard songs by Cash but did not know he was that good. i do hope hollywood would do something like this abt Elvis too.
pity they have only one oscar for best actor.otherwise it would be fantastic to have best actor and actress inside 'the ring of fire' this year.
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