Walk the Line
2005. Directed by James Mangold. Written by Gill Dennis based on the autobiography by Johnny Cash. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.
Warden: Mr. Cash, Might I suggest you refrain from playing any more tunes that remind them - the inmates, that is - well, that they're in prison.
Cash: You think they forgot?
If watching a biopic of a superb, trailblazing singer who was recently deceased at the time of the film's release didn't already have you thinking of 2004's Ray, then the opening flashback to an eerily similar childhood tragedy should ensure the previous year's film pops into your head. The similarities don't end there. As with Ray, the strength of Walk the Line lies in the real life characters that it portrays and the terrific performances. James Mangold, like Taylor Hackford, isn't a bad director, but he isn't especially impressive either. The film, at several points, develops its storyline fairly predictably. The supporting characters are underdeveloped and not terribly memorable. What thrills are the characters, the performances, and the music. The moments on stage in song are among the most exciting of the film. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon both deliver terrific performances but what may be most impressive is how good they are as singers. Each performed their own vocals and I'd be happy to own the soundtrack. Witherspoon doesn't sound that much like June Carter but she may, dare I say it, sound even better.
Though it is easy to forget when listening to the tremendous songs of Johnny Cash in today's world, Walk the Line reminds us of how much of a rebel he and his music were. Witherspoon, in a lovely performance that is the heart and soul of the film, shows a woman graceful enough to tame his wildest side while still allowing him to be who he was. The film's main theme may be to never give up on someone. June doesn't give up on Johnny, despite plenty of reasons to. And Johnny holds out some sliver of hope on someone the audience has given up on. Though it is a minor change we see to his father at the end of the film, it offers hope for improvement. Ray, after thrilling me for most of the film, ended on a low note with some of the weakest parts of the film as the closing scenes. Walk the Line ends very strongly. The interrupted duet of "Jackson" brought tears to my eyes and showcases the terrific chemistry of Phoenix and Witherspoon, as well as Johnny and June.
My grade: B+
Warden: Mr. Cash, Might I suggest you refrain from playing any more tunes that remind them - the inmates, that is - well, that they're in prison.
Cash: You think they forgot?
If watching a biopic of a superb, trailblazing singer who was recently deceased at the time of the film's release didn't already have you thinking of 2004's Ray, then the opening flashback to an eerily similar childhood tragedy should ensure the previous year's film pops into your head. The similarities don't end there. As with Ray, the strength of Walk the Line lies in the real life characters that it portrays and the terrific performances. James Mangold, like Taylor Hackford, isn't a bad director, but he isn't especially impressive either. The film, at several points, develops its storyline fairly predictably. The supporting characters are underdeveloped and not terribly memorable. What thrills are the characters, the performances, and the music. The moments on stage in song are among the most exciting of the film. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon both deliver terrific performances but what may be most impressive is how good they are as singers. Each performed their own vocals and I'd be happy to own the soundtrack. Witherspoon doesn't sound that much like June Carter but she may, dare I say it, sound even better.
Though it is easy to forget when listening to the tremendous songs of Johnny Cash in today's world, Walk the Line reminds us of how much of a rebel he and his music were. Witherspoon, in a lovely performance that is the heart and soul of the film, shows a woman graceful enough to tame his wildest side while still allowing him to be who he was. The film's main theme may be to never give up on someone. June doesn't give up on Johnny, despite plenty of reasons to. And Johnny holds out some sliver of hope on someone the audience has given up on. Though it is a minor change we see to his father at the end of the film, it offers hope for improvement. Ray, after thrilling me for most of the film, ended on a low note with some of the weakest parts of the film as the closing scenes. Walk the Line ends very strongly. The interrupted duet of "Jackson" brought tears to my eyes and showcases the terrific chemistry of Phoenix and Witherspoon, as well as Johnny and June.
My grade: B+
posted by Keith Allison at 3:01 PM
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