WALK THE LINE 
Starring:
Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Tyler
Hilton and Waylon Payne
Director:
James Mangold
Running Time:
136 mins
Out to buy on DVD 22/05/06
"Hi, I'm Johnny Cash"
In 1968, Johnny Cash (Phoenix) is about to play his most famous live recording at Folsom Prison, he starts to remember his life. From the death of his brother to his first recording at Sun Records, Cash's life has been full of ups and downs but there has been one constant in his life, his one true love June Carter (Witherspoon).
The life of the 'Man in Black' was always going to be a subject that music fans would revel in but can a movie about Johnny Cash walk that line?
The pioneers of modern music are prime candidates for biopics and Johnny Cash was one such pioneer. From his first recording at the now famous Sun Studios to his late 50s/early 60s tours with June Carter, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley, Cash's unique sound made him one of the most famous musicians of the era. His rise to fame wasn't as easy as you might have thought however as he tried to cope with family problems, unrequited love and a drug addition that was slowly killing him.
It was the bond and later love between Johnny and June Carter that drives the movie. This was a true friendship that formed during their extensive touring of the US but this developed into much more, especially for Johnny as his marriage to Vivian is falling apart because of his growing friendship with his singing partner. Their situation isn't helped by Johnny addition to prescription drugs, as he uses them to take him away from his problems at home, his up bringing and his love for June.
If this story was enough you also have the origins of the Man in Black's music. All his classics from the era are here such as 'Cry Cry Cry', 'Folsom Prison Blues', 'Ring Of Fire', 'Cocaine Blues' and 'I Walk The Line' plus many others. Instead of using the legend's own recordings however director James Mangold and his creative team took the decision of getting the actors to actually perform the songs.
Both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon perform all of the Johnny and June songs, with both of them looking and sounding like their characters. From two actors renown for dramatic and comedic roles, you would have never have pictured either of them as accomplished vocalists. Both of them throw themselves into their roles but it isn't just their singing that draws you into their performances, each of handle the dramatic elements of Cash and Carter's story with supreme skill. While this might not come as a surprise were Joaquin Phoenix is concerned but Reese Witherspoon is a revelation. The darling of the romantic comedy, Witherspoon finally shows that she is not just a one trick pony by giving a career changing performance and one that will see her range grow.
The support is also first rate. Ginnifer Goodwin is excellent as Cash's jealous wife Vivian, giving a performance that will get her noticed. Tyler Hilton and Waylon Payne give excellent vocal and character performances as Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. Robert Patrick is also good as Johnny's unforgiving father Ray Cash.
While the biopic doesn't quite go as far as you might expect or show Johnny Cash's entire career, this is still a fascinating insight into one of the true pioneers of modern music. With extraordinary performances from the leading players and supporting cast, this is a movie that everyone can enjoy and music fans can revel in.
PICTURE & SOUND
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.
BONUS FEATURES
Single Disc
Version Feature commentary by co-writer and director James Mangold
The man at the helm of the movie talks about the ten-year journey to the
silver screen. He reveals the origins of the project and how he interviewed
Johnny Cash himself while writing the script. The casting of the movie
is also discussed and how both Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix trained
for and sang all the songs in the movie. This is a fascinating commentary
from man who is very passionate about the project. More man in black:
Deleted Scenes (22.31 mins)
Entitled 'Jack's Funeral', 'Memphis Streets', 'Cry, Cry, Cry', 'Broken
record', 'Eza and Maybelle Carter', 'I still miss someone', 'On the phone',
'At the bar', 'At the bank' and 'The sermon', these deleted or alternative
scenes are accompanied by commentary by co-writer/director James Mangold.
Theatrical Trailer
View the promotional trailer for the movie
OVERALL
Film companies are now releasing more and more movies in two different versions, a single disc, just the movie version and a double disc, extras filled special edition. This gives the buyer more choice and is a welcome approach. The single disc version of 'Walk the Line' still has some good extras, if you would like to watch them but true fans of the film will probably go for the two-disc version.
DVD
Disc 2:
