Walk The Line Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Love is a burning thing.
While growing up in the Great Depression era, Johnny Cash(Joaquin Phoenix) takes an interest in music and eventually moves out of his Arkansas town to join the air force in Germany. While there, he buys his first guitar and writes his own music, and proposes to Vivian. When they got married, they settled in Tennessee and with a daughter, he supported the family by being a salesman. He discovers a man who can pursue his dreams and ends up getting a record with the boys. Shortly after that, he was on a short tour, promoting his songs, and meets the already famous and beautiful June Carter(Reese Witherspoon). Then as they get on the long-term tours with June, the boys, and Jerry Lee Lewis, they have this unspoken relationship that grows. But when June leaves the tour because of his behavior, he was a drug addict. His marriage was also falling apart, and when he sees June years later at an awards show, he forces June to tour with them again, promising June to support her two kids and herself. While the tour goes on, the relationship between June and John grow more,and his marriage to his first wife ends. June finds out about the drugs, and help him overcome it. True love and care helped John eventually stop the drug usage, and finally proposes to her in front of an audience at a show.
| Joaquin Phoenix | John R. Cash |
| Reese Witherspoon | June Carter |
| Ginnifer Goodwin | Vivian Cash |
| Robert Patrick | Ray Cash |
| Dallas Roberts | Sam Phillips |
| Dan John Miller | Luther Perkins |
| Larry Bagby | Marshall Grant |
| Shelby Lynne | Carrie Cash |
| Tyler Hilton | Elvis Presley |
| Waylon Payne | Jerry Lee Lewis |
| Shooter Jennings | Waylon Jennings |
| Sandra Ellis Lafferty | Maybelle Carter |
| Dan Beene | Ezra Carter |
| Clay Steakley | W.S. 'Fluke' Holland |
| Johnathan Rice | Roy Orbison |
| James Mangold |
8.00 out of 10 (44349 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Heeeere's Johnny! Cash in on one of the year finest, Phoenix and Witherspoon make a dynamic duo
posted on 31 Aug 2009***1/2 Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Patrick, Dallas Roberts, Dan John Miller, Ginnifer Goodwin. Directed by James Mangold. A brilliantly made biopic of legendary country singer Johnny Cash (Phenomenal Phoenix) written and directed by the talented James Mangold off the books written by Cash himself. As did "Ray" the film is told through a flash back as Cash plays his finest gig at Folsom State Prison. Phoenix really brings his whole deck of cards to the show this time and Wonderful Witherspoon as June Carter really steals the show. Overall phenomenal acting all around and surely one of the years finest. Phoenix did a great job talking and walking the line as Johnny Cash who through out the movie deals with his career and crumbling marriage. Mangold's film is one of 05's best so far and sure fire steals the spotlight. Bravo Phoenix and Witherspoon. My final rating 9/10.
A Fantastic Film!
posted on 31 Aug 2009Wow. I've seen this film twice but still want to see it 100 more times. This movie is one of the most moving, honest, and well done films I have seen in a long time. It opened my eyes to many things. First, to the Man in Black himself. Being a young adult, I knew very little about Johnny Cash other than his name. But through the movie I gained a huge amount of respect for him, and found that I enjoy his music. If it wasn't for this movie, I probably wouldn't have been exposed to the legend that is Cash. This film also showed me how amazing Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are. I thought they were good actors before now, but this film truly showcased their amazing skills. Their chemistry was unbelievable. I would say it is the best work that each of them has done in their careers. They deserve lots of awards and praise for their hard work acting and singing in this film. It's incredibly impressive what they have accomplished. At the end of this movie I still wanted more, I wasn't content with leaving the life of Johnny and June and going back to the real world. It had that strong of an impact.
humble and great storytelling
posted on 31 Aug 2009Normally I'm not a great fun of Hollywood biopics as a genre but in this case it works just perfect! I don't think there could've being any better way to bring life of Johny Cashon on screen. The choice of actors is fantastic. It was also a beautiful surprise for me to hear them both sing so well. And I'd like to mention that the chemistry between the two of them is just breathtaking. About the director Jamed Mangold. He's already done some real good films and with "work the line" he proves one's again his talent for the storytelling. He's this rare type of a film director who are not seeking to bring his persona all the time in each of their movies, if you know what I mean, he's just wants to tell a good story.
"I WALK THE LINE" is an absolute must see
posted on 29 Aug 2009My wife and I went to see this movie the day after Thanksgiving. It is the first time we've been to a movie theatre in two years because none of the "predominately computer generated slash em and gash em garbage that Hollywierd calls movies have been worth going to see". I Walk The Line was a refreshing change!
The cast performances were excellent and Phoenix and Witherspoon were astounding! This is a must see for Country music fans, regular music fans, and nostalgia fans.
In my humble opinion, anyone who could give this movie a bad review, is someone who just can't be pleased!
We can't wait for the DVD
Amazing.
posted on 29 Aug 2009I've been waiting to see this movie since I first heard about it, around the summer of 2005. What originally drew me to it was the fact that one of my favorite actors, Joaquin Phoenix, was acting in it. I read numerous early on reviews, and after talking with a few of my friends, I could not WAIT for it to come out.Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it until early January due to some small difficulties. But let me say, it was well worth the wait. I was captivated by it from the moment that it started.The start of the movie came close to bringing tears to my eyes. I actually sort of predicted it. When I saw his brother near the saw, I knew that something bad was going to happen shortly. When the younger version of Johnny Cash watched his brother die, I was overwhelmed with an amazing sadness. It reminded me of how Joaquin had to watch his younger die just 12 years ago due to a drug overdose outside of the Viper Room.The entire movie moved me. I was singing along, waiting for his rise to fame, and just overall excited during the entire film.I guess that I'm just saying that I can't get enough of this movie. I loved it. I advise you to go see it. Now.
Thumbs up for a love story which turned out to be a labor of love from cast and crew
posted on 29 Aug 2009"Walk the Line" is definitely one of the best biopics I've ever seen and one of this year's best films. In my opinion,its major breakthrough is that it appeals to all audiences- even to the European one which isn't familiar with country music or Johnny Cash in particular. I am Greek and even though my knowledge of country music is limited, I absorbed every detail of the film and I even rushed to buy the soundtrack! Biopics are a dangerous genre in the sense that it is always very difficult to recreate a person's life in full length and in full depth; yet James Mangold was wise enough to concentrate mainly on Cash's early adulthood and especially on his beautiful love story with June Carter. He managed to capture the essence of their relationship, approaching it from all sides without being tiresome or boring; and with the help of a really inspired cinematography by my fellow Greek Phedon Papamichael and with T-Bone Burnett's amazing contribution in music, Mangold made a really moving and unforgettable film. My comments, however, would be incomplete if I didn't mention the two "pillars" of the film, Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. When I first read about "Walk the Line" in Premiere magazine I thought that the two would make an unlikely pair and I questioned their chemistry; R.Witherspoon is adorable but she had starred mainly in very "light"films,which didn't require great talent, whereas J.Phoenix is one of the best actors in American cinema, but there is also sth dark, morbid and disturbing about him. Yet I was curious to see the outcome, and I confess now that I stand corrected! There was an undeniable chemistry between them and they truly seemed to have been born to play their roles. And, of course, I bow before their courage and determination to take this huge risk and responsibility to perform the Cashes' songs, especially J.Phoenix who would be instantly compared to the legendary Man in Black.( Mind you, I like "Ring of Fire" by J.Phoenix more than by J.Cash!) I always considered J.Phoenix a very talented actor who has made excellent and diverse choices, sth which proves the vastness of his gift as an actor and I must admit that I was in awe when "Walk the Line" was over. What a performance! He displayed a rare sensibility and he rendered Cash's complex personality both when he was fragile and when he was strong with great empathy and respect. I would say that Phoenix submerged into Cash's soul, he intuitively understood who he was and, thus, he masterfully portrayed him. I believe that Phoenix, in some peculiar cosmic way, was J.Cash during filming. Phoenix proved himself as a great actor once more in this film, because he was able to balance effortlessly and beautifully between the profoundly wounded child and the unfulfilled man that J.Cash was. It was truly a shame that the Academy deprived him of this year's Oscar for Best Male Leading Role, because he was the one who lifted the film on his shoulders, the one who gave it its sparkle and above all, he is the one who transcended his personality and became the Man in Black!P.S. I saw the movie on Febr. 14th,it was a coincidence and I think an unconscious tribute to a really moving love story. Also, because of "Walk the Line" I sought a different way of creativity and I've taken up acoustic guitar lessons.
Excellent Look Into The Life Of Johhny Cash
posted on 27 Aug 2009This is one of the best biography type movies I have seen. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon did such a great job in their prospective roles that you actually believed they were their characters. This is a very well done movie that really pulls you in. You get a true understanding of Johhny Cash's ups and downs and how great he turned out in the end.
I would definately recommend this movie, especially if you are a fan of biography/true story movies.
Fine performances in solidly entertaining Johnny Cash biopic
posted on 27 Aug 2009This is a solidly entertaining biopic of country singer Johnny Cash. The story is slightly predictable but both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are good and even sing their own songs. The film effectively charts Cash's entire career from his (MINOR SPOILERS) youth on a farm, his years in the Air Force, his rise, addiction to prescription medication, and eventual redemption.My favorite segment was Cash's relationship with his father. This could have been expanded. While fans of Cash's music will love this film, even non-fans will enjoy the film.Overall 7/10
Great performances! Very engaging!
posted on 25 Aug 2009I'm not a country music fan. I only heard about Johnny Cash when he had died (and yes I do live in a box...Joke). But this movie has definitely opened a door and I will be checking more into John Cash. Comparisons can be made with this and lasts years "Ray". Other than the obvious subject matter (famous singer overcoming personal problems) another comparison is the fact that they both boast great award worthy performances. I hope Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon definitely get recognition for the amazing work in this film. Joaquin gave a very complex performance and he had strong presence. Reese was definitely glowing on the screen. Just from the portrayal of June Carter, I could easily see why Johnny (and me for that matter) would be drawn to her. Reese portrays a strong woman who can brighten up others around her.
Aside from the acting; the direction, production design, and editing is also very accomplished. I wouldn't hesitate calling this one of the year's best picture.
Both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were amazing!
posted on 25 Aug 2009Phoenix seemed to have Johnny Cash's mannerisms down perfect. And his singing is wonderful! Witherspoon proved she can do more than play a ditzy blonde. And she too can sing very well.
I couldn't believe that the film is 135 minutes because I was so immersed in the movie time seemed to disappear. You don't have to be a country music or Cash fan to enjoy this movie. This is for anyone who loves good movies.
For Dad
posted on 25 Aug 2009Right where do I start. The film was completely awesome and it captured the desire of Cash to perform and prove an inspiration for a generation. The music was brilliant and the acting was complete beauty! I remember my Dad playing Cash when I was young and me giggling at the swearing and not really understanding the power. I'm older now and understand the passion. I wish that my Dad was still here to enjoy this film. I remember my Dad playing the Folsam Prison blues and I was completely overwhelmed by the power that I heard and when the film began I heard it again, older and wiser. Here was man with a message for the common man that empowered the struggle but also showed us salvation. The film captured the desire and the Love of 2 people drawn to each other and never parting until death, but even that was a vacation. Johnny and June you are in are hearts always. Love
FLAWLESS
posted on 19 Aug 2009THIS WAS A REALLY GOOD MOVIE FROM START TO FINISH. I WATCHED PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, NORTH COUNTRY, AND NOW THIS ONE, AND OUT OF THE 3 I'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE PASSES IT BY FAR. I THINK JOAQUIN PHIONEX AND REESE WITHERSPOON SHOULD WIN THE OSCAR, THAT THEY'RE NOMINATED FOR ,B/C THEIR PERFORMANCE WAS FLAWLEES, AND BRILLIANT.
I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT JOHNNY CASH BEFORE WATCHING THIS MOVIE, AND ITS A GREAT STORY ABOUT LOVE AND WHAT FAME CAN DO TO YOU, BELIVING IN YOURSELF...WATCH IT AND YOU'LL LOVE IT
Cash deserves better
posted on 19 Aug 2009Phoenix's protrayal is way too morbid. Johnny Cash, the man in black, was a bad**s, respected and loved by people who don't give a whiff about country music. Phoenix just simply didn't capture the essence of the man. Just watching Cash in an interview, or listening to a live CD of him, Cash was engaging and charismatic in a way that just doesn't come through in this movie. I had to listen to my copy of 'live at Folsom' after watching this, just to get the bad taste of the movie out of my mouth. And given that the movie covers so little of his life, why did it have to be well over 2 hours? Lots of fluff here.
Masterful Biopic
posted on 15 Aug 2009I'm anything but a Johnny Cash fan. The only time I got a kick out of his music was in the late Sixties (or early Seventies?), when he released his tongue-in-cheek hit, "Boy Named Sue." Very entertaining, in case you haven't heard it. Otherwise, I paid scant attention to the Man in Black, other than knowing he sang about trains, and crime, and prison, and that he was a tad rambunctious.
So when WALK THE LINE initially came out, my interest wasn't all that keen on learning about the troubled life of Cash (or his equally tumultuous romance with June Carter). Two words got me to go see the film during its theatrical run--and to watch this exceptional movie several times since: Joaquin Phoenix. I'm a big fan of this remarkable, versatile actor, have been ever since seeing him in Gladiator. And in Cash's biopic Phoenix doesn't disappoint: he immerses himself in the character, becomes the troubled Man in Black--right down to the singer's deep baritone. Equally impressive is Reese Witherspoon as the ever-aloof June Carter (ultimately June Carter Cash); Witherspoon is dead on, from June's feisty sassiness, to her twang and drawl.
It's one thing not to appreciate the actual music--it's quite another to be blown away when two actors absolutely nail the actual music. That's what makes WALK THE LINE such a great film: it's completely, unequivocally, believable. Further kudos go out to Robert Patrick, who plays Cash's forever-disapproving father (the Denethor of the Ozarks). So don't let not being a fan of Johnny Cash keep you from seeing this film; if you haven't checked out WALK THE LINE, by all means do so. And get rhythm, when you get the blues.
--D. Mikels, Author, The Reckoning
Two Great Performances Elevate The Quality Of The Film
posted on 15 Aug 2009"Walk the Line" was engaging because it concentrated on Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and June Carter (Reese Witherspoon), and downplayed the rags-to-riches elements found in the story. I have to admit that I'm beginning to get tired of these showbiz-biographies, but I I liked how this movie tries to approach the commonly known clichés with vigor and heart. I do not like country music and I know very little about Cash and Carter, but I think this is a love story more than anything else, and I am a sucker for love stories. My wife (a fan of country and music in general) told me that Phoenix did a great job imitating Cash. I believe her. However, I think it is easy to notice that Witherspoon walks away with the movie. As I said before, I do not know anything about Carter, but Reese impressed me with her multi-layered performance. Her natural warm quality was a plus, and I thought she sang pretty well, which was something that took me by surprised; she earned her Oscar. This is not "Coal Miner's Daughter" (probably the best showbiz biography I've seen), but it is much better than something like "Ray". It is a very entertaining movie that I'm sure fans of these types of films will enjoy.
Dreadful
posted on 13 Aug 2009I am utterly amazed at the number of people that think this is a good movie. Growing up in Texas, I was familiar with Johnny Cash's music from the very beginning, and, while I was never much of a C&W fan, it is very hard not to like Cash's music. This movie, however, it an insult to his memory, not an uncommon occurence in Hollywood; directors seem to love to trash people who cannot defend themselves.
In "Walk the Line", it's Cash who takes the worst hit. Phoenix plays him as if he were "mentally challenged", to use the PC parlance. If that were true, the man would never have suceeded as one of country music's greatest stars. Reese Witherspoon turns in an admirable performance, but never convinced me that it was June Carter she was playing.
I had been waiting for this movie with a great deal of excitement; the reviews raved about it and June Carter Cash had become one of my favorite performers over the years, despite my overall boredom with country music.
When I saw it, however, it made me cringe with embarassment for the memories of Carter and Cash; even now, I cannot even think about "Walk the Line" without cringing. What a shame; the story of those two people is wonderful, too bad the movie wasn't.
Incredible
posted on 11 Aug 2009I took my Father to see this movie. I have always been a J Cash fan, but my Dad grew up with him. For him to say how amazed he was how well the portrayal way is a big 'thumbs up'. Dad said it best. "Phoenix captured the real essence of the stage" It was like watching it all over again as a young man. My Father recently saw George JOnes live in concert; a thrill for him. He said watching this move gave his a similar nostalgic feeling. Most Bio-Pics are give and take. This will be picked apart just the same. It is a good story and worth the trip.I sometimes think the bio pic world will soon be flooded with imitations of "RAY" and now "Walk the Line". If this does happen, we will have to adjust and look back at some of the best that started the trend.
Unflattering portrayal of a music legend. Then again, any movie that features a pretty lady who plays the autoharp can't be bad.
posted on 09 Aug 2009Any movie that features a pretty lady (Ms. Reese Witherspoon) who sings dances and plays an autoharp can't be bad. I'm changing my rating of this movie to 9.Once again, Hollywood offers another slanted and distorted movie bio of a public figure, this time Johnny Cash, focusing on his personal problems for the sake of grabbing the audience's attention. Yes, Johnny Cash had a lot of personal problems - early in his life. Okay ... so what? Why focus on that? Why not focus instead on the fact that he was a U.S. Air Force veteran? Or that he was one of the most brilliant pop song writers in American music history? Or that for much of his professional life he was a social activist? Or that he got his substance abuse problem under control? The story of Johnny Cash is more than he had a substance abuse problem. The story of Johnny Cash is what he accomplished despite the substance abuse problem.This movie offers an unflattering yet interesting portrayal of one of the most gifted popular musical artists in American history, Johnny Cash. The portrayal is unflattering because it shows Mr. Cash as being a self-centered, pill-popping, emotionally fragile philanderer who neglects his family and almost wrecks his career. But the movie also provides an interesting and engaging portrayal of a gifted musical artist who became an musical icon in his own time. The movie's suggestion that Mr. Cash had to overcome adversity to achieve success is unconvincing. Although he came from poverty, Mr. Cash's background was not one of deprivation. According to the movie, Mr. Cash's father was judgmental and overbearing, but so what? What the storyline lacks, however, is more than made up for by the music, and this involves an outstanding performance by Jaoquin Phoenix who in this movie IS Johnny Cash. Indeed, Mr. Phoenix's uncanny portrayal of the musical legend is akin to that of Fay Dunaway's amazing portrayal of Joan Crawford in "Mommy Dearest." Also, Reese Witherspoon offers a strong performance as June Carter. What makes their performances even more remarkable is that neither one are known for being musical artists. Yet they sing, play musical instruments and are quite good. How many movies portray anyone playing an auto-harp? This movie is proof that when actors are given the opportunity, they can reveal a wide range of artistic talents that they otherwise would not be called upon to perform. His personal life notwithstanding, Johnny Cash was a great performer and for that reason alone this movie is worth watching.
UNA PELICULA DE AMOR PARA RECORDAR
posted on 31 Aug 2009escribo en espanol para los que no saben ingles y les llame la atencion esta pelicula, para mi es tremenda pelicula, ademas de conocer un pedacito de la historia de la musica, considero que es una pelicula para tenerla en la casa y disfrutarla con la familia