Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Patrick, Ginnifer Goodwin, Tyler Hilton, Dallas Roberts, Shelby Lynn, Jonathan Rice, Dan Beene, Ridge Canipe, Sandra Ellis-Lafferty, Waylon Payne, Shooter Jennings

Director: James Mangold

Summary: Primarily the story of the love that grew between country stars Johnny Cash and June Carter during the early years of Cash's career, WALK THE LINE is the result of intense collaboration between director James Mangold, co-writer Gill Dennis, Johnny Cash, and June Carter Cash. Though both Cashes died in 2003, they oversaw the script's development for seven years. Mangold and Cash's insistence that the film's stars would actually sing paid off. Witherspoon's singing (as June) is lovely, and Phoenix's contains the raw energy and soul that defined Cash's sound. Even as a child on a cotton farm in Depression-era Arkansas, Cash shows a strong interest in music, escaping from his no-frills life and strict father (Robert Patrick) through hymns and listening to the radio. When his brother dies in a freak accident, young Johnny feels responsible, and worries that he will never live up to his brother's goodness. The film follows Cash through his first marriage with Vivian Cash (Ginnifer Goodwin) and into the early stages of his touring career alongside such musicians as Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and most importantly, June Carter. As Cash's success grows, so does his relationship with drugs, alcohol, and Carter, putting a strain upon his family life. From his initial audition with Sam Phillips of Sun Records on through his legendary 1968 concert at Folsom Prison, Cash is transformed from a hesitant singer riddled with demons to a man whose uniquely bold style would make music history. WALK THE LINE never attempts to paint a full picture of Cash's prolific career, but instead focuses on the passions that drove his music and on the woman who gave him strength. With magical performances by Witherspoon and Phoenix, a haunting and inspiring American romance is brought beautifully to life.

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Reviewed by: davybozal24-7
Posted on June 5, 2006 7:23 AM

Not being into Country and Western films or music , I thought that this would be pretty dull stuff , but it was not all that bad . Country
crooner Johnny Cash , played here to perfection by the wonderfully
underrated actor Joaquin Phoenix , was as famous for his dedication
to drugs and booze as he was for his music . Walk The Line is a wonderful exploration of his early life - a stunning combination of great music and sexual chemistry between the leads , Reese Witherspoon plays his girlfriend and has just received the highest
accolade - the Best Actress Oscar . DVD extras are pretty good.

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Charting the life stories of both legendary musician Johnny Cash and singer June Carter, Walk The Linehas proven to be among the most popular music biopics of all time. And with good reason.

Spearheaded by two superb performances (which we'll come to shortly), the film's main focus is on Cash himself, from his childhood, early successes, eventual troubles through to the legendary concert of Folsom Prison. His journey also takes in drug problems, the tragedy that haunted him and bumpy relationships with the women in his life. Throughout, of course, there's Cash's enviable body of musical work, which not only helps provide markers for his story, but makes for an excellent soundtrack to the movie as a whole.

As a film, Walk The Lineis resolutely formulaic, with a structure that'll be familiar to anyone who regularly watches biopics of this ilk. What really helps this one stand tall though are Joaquin Pheonix and Reese Witherspoon. Pheonix is utterly compelling in the lead role, while Witherspoon is back on the form she displayed back in the days of Election.

James Mangold's direction is fine and uncluttered, and while his film clearly chooses which elements of Cash's life to focus on (there's certainly far more to know than you get in the two and a quarter hours here), it works extremely well as an entry point into the life story of a great musician. Even the casual viewer will get a lot from Walk The Line, and it may even compel them to expand their CD collection off the back of it,--Simon Brew

Aspect Ratio:	2.39 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Audio Commentary By Co Writer And Director James Mangold, Ten Deleted Scenes, International Theatrical Trailer, Johnny Cash Jukebox, Folsom Cash And The Comeback, Ring Of Fire The Passion Of Johnny And June, Becoming Cash, Becoming Carter, Celebrating The Man In
Year:	2005
Release Date:	May 22, 2006
Runtime:	124 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	2953601001
Keywords:	Two, General, Line, Walk, Drama, Historical, Discs
Genre:	Drama