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Written by MICHAEL JAMES ALLEN
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Friday, 18 November 2005 |
Although it may not feature wizards or magic or people with names like Voldemort, my money is on “Walk the Line” for the most entertaining movie this weekend. There’s no doubt that Harry Potter fever is the big news at the box office (my Potter mini-review: Underwhelming), but people would be better served going to see this energetic recount of the life and career of Johnny Cash instead.
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"Walk the Line" |
 Entertainment
 Art
Directed by James Mangold
Written by Gill Dennis and James Mangold
Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, and Robert Patrick
Rated PG-13 for some language, thematic material, and depiction of drug dependency
Released November 18, 2005 |
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For the very few who do not know, Johnny Cash was the musician behind such hits as “Ring of Fire,” “Get Rhythm,” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” While his musical style was undeniably country, he brought a unique rock quality and an instantly recognizable baritone voice to it that caused his songs to transcend their genre. Before passing away in 2003, he managed to become one of the most successful and iconic musicians of his era. He also managed to land in jail on several occasions and have mean bouts with drug addiction and philandering along the way.It is in these areas that “Walk the Line” unfortunately lags. The musical biopic has become a mainstay in cinema these days and, let’s face it, each one’s story covers pretty much similar territory: A downtrodden musician finds his voice, garners acclaim, and falls into the pitfalls of success—drugs or some other dependency—before eventually being redeemed. “Walk the Line” follows this formula pretty much down to a tee, without offering anything fresh or interesting (whole segments, in fact, almost feel lifted from last year’s equally-formulaic, “Ray”). When Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) meets June Carter (Reese Witherspoon) in a diner only hours after taking his first drug dose, you are well-ahead of the film, knowing full well that this will be the woman who eventually saves him from those drugs. And even though those drugs supply one of the most memorable scenes in the film (in which a strung-out Johnny Cash tries to finish a song before having a breakdown onstage), you impatiently tap your foot waiting for Cash to overcome his addiction so that you can get back to watching him play his music. It is those aforementioned musical moments that keep “Walk the Line” from being run-of-the-mill. There’s something infectiously fun about watching Cash’s songs caught on film, being performed to perfect replicas of the venues in which he performed. If you’ve ever been a fan of Cash’s music, I defy you to not get a big smile on your face when the film shows him entering Folsom to perform his famous, live “At Folsom Prison” recording. The mood of the music is electric and spirited. Its heightened even more so by the fact that it is Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon actually singing. They both capture the sounds and mannerisms of their real-life counterparts. Phoenix accomplishes the hard task of making you forget you’re watching an actor and, after awhile, you just accept him completely as Johnny Cash. As for Witherspoon, she radiates beauty and common sense, and does her best work here since 1999’s “Election.” “Walk the Line” may not be the most original story out there right now in cinemas, but I guarantee it is likely to be one of the most enthralling. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
