Walk The Line Review by Clint Morris
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 | These days, you
don’t need a membership card, quiet voice and reference number to
get yourself a good history lesson.
Nope, for less time than it’d
take most people to read someone’s bibliography, autobiography or, for
that matter, a slab of text from an encyclopaedia, you can get yourself
a refresher-course on a prolific figure that’s rather
far-reaching, as well as absorbing.
And best part of it all, you
don’t need to get your thumb clammy turning a page.
Walk
The Line is the story of musician Johnny Cash, or rather, the
story of Johnny and June Carter-Cash, two talented voices that
stood-out in a time when some magnificent tones were emerging –
like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and
Buddy Holly, all who feature in the film – and ultimately –
after many, many, many obstacles and false starts – found love.
This
isn’t a musical biography, per se, but rather a touching love
story about a couple of lost souls who found each other, and a common
bond, in a world full of judgment and spuriousness.
Chronicling
Johnny Cash’s life from the age of 12 to his late 20s, Line examines how the Arkansas-raised youngster –
whose younger brother, the one the father (Robert Patrick) seemingly
favoured, dies in a freak accident – turned into the legendary
musician we know best.
On tour, he meets the beautiful and talented
June Carter (Reese Witherspoon), who he’d later form a close
friendship with. Always wanting more, but either married or not
persuasive enough to convince Carter that he’d make a good
husband, Cash is persistent.
When he becomes
addicted to drugs (uppers), the musician starts to crumble – and
it’ll be up to Carter to help piece him back together.
Joaquin
Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon immerse themselves in the role of the
troubled talent and his long-time love. With their singing voices
playing just as much a part, they unleash performances that border on
greatness – they’ve obviously studied their real life
counterparts to inestimable detail - and the chemistry between the two
would singe any Bunsen burner’s bottom.
Even if you
don’t know any, or only know a couple, of Cash’s songs
– which include “Jackson”, “Walk The
Line”, and “Folsom Prison” – you’ll
hopefully know all about the film’s central theme: deep,
meaningful, love and companionship.
Treat yourself to one of the best films to grace a projection booth in eons - it sings a sweet, sweet tune. 4 out of 5
Walk The Line
Australian release: 2nd February, 2006
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Shelby Lynne, Robert Patrick
Director: James Mangold
Website:
Click
here.
Brought to you by MovieHole
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