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Walk the Line

I had always wanted to learn how to play the piano, so two years ago I took up lessons. I had never played a musical instrument and never had the discipline to devote my time to the practice it takes to get good, but at this point I was ready to give it a good attempt. I was able to pick up the keys after time, but could never get the rhythm right to play the song correctly. I didn't have access to a piano outside of my lessons and had to practice on a keyboard, and after about a year I lost interest. I think with anything it takes practice, but there's also an innate skill that you are either born with or not. I was not born with any musical gifts, but Johnny Cash was.

The new film Walk the Line starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon chronicles the l if of Johnny Cash and the woman he loved, June Carter Cash. It opens on his childhood where he grew up poor, with a brother, loving mother and disapproving father (Robert Patrick(Terminator 2: Judgment Day). The relationship with his father grows more tenuous when his brother dies in an accident, with Johnny carrying unnecessary guilt.

Johnny latter uses that guilt he feels when he grows up and finds his love of music. He meets and falls in love with a perfectly fine woman named Vivian(Ginnifer Goodwin(Mona Lisa Smile), and though she would like him to find success at a nine -to-five job, he is unable to commit. This puts a strain on their marriage, even with two children, and while she gets behind him when he records a record, she is no match for the woman he meets on the road.

June Carter is a spirited young woman that comes from a talented family, and though you wouldn't think so if you saw her perform, she doesn't have much self confidence. Though they can't deny their initial attraction, June refuses to sleep with Johnny. They are both married with children, and though over the course of the next few years she divorces, she also marries again. Her refusal to accept him, spins Johnny out of control. He sleeps with many women and abuses drugs, until his marriage finally falls apart a nd his wife refuses to ignore his indiscretions anymore. It is only the love of a good woman that saves Johnny from himself, her love also brings his musical career back to life and over time, she can't resist their attraction

Joaquin Phoenix is an Academy Award nominated actor who has been on the verge of stardom for years. It is not until this performance that has star has arrived and he has finally stepped

out of the shadow of his deceased brother. He does his own vocals, plays all the instruments, and takes the audience on the journey through his passionate eyes, full of soul.

It has been four years since Reese Witherspoonhad her movie star breakthrough in Legally Blonde and she has become increasingly less interesting and one note with each film to come since. This changes with her role as June Carter, filling the part with all the spunk and charm that is needed. It is not just her spunk and surprisingly strong vocal skills that makes the performance sing. It is her ability to love the man when the audience loves him and put him in his place when the audience wants to put him in his place. These two actors have real chemistry, that follows a tune all of its own.

The films shortcomings are the obvious comparisons to Ray, as it follows the same exact structure of the that film, released just last year. The major difference is Walk the Line is a love story first and a biography last, and very few love stories work as well as this one does. Unfortunately, the film also continues the trend of Hollywood unable to accurately portray drug addiction and the true struggle that it takes to over come the disease. It is handled very, very bad and not only the authentic performances can save the poorly worded and constructed material during this section of the movie.

At the core this is a movie I really liked because director James Mangold had a clear vision and along with the entire cast, felt the story. The audience feeds off the love they shared for John and June Carter Cash, even if we know exactly where the film is going before it gets there.

Movie Grade: B+

Synopsis:

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash’s life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.