Product ReviewsWalk the Line (DVD, 2006, Full Frame)

The Story of Johnny Cash and June Carter Is A Keeper

First of all, I was never a fan of Johnny Cash despite the fact that the movie was made in Memphis, my hometown, and much of the story takes place in Memphis. Since the movie got such great reviews, I decided to see it.

Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon both deserved the Academy Award. She won, but he did not. Especially Joaquin Phoenix should have won because he literally became Johnny Cash. His voice even sounds like Johnny Cash. Johnny Cash did have a very difficult life. He saw his older brother get killed by a saw, his father was very hard on him, and the booze was not kind to him. June Carter was his savior, his mentor, and his dual vocalist on many of his songs. The only problem is that Johnny already had a wife, who was a good one. The wife put up with all of Johnny's temper tantrums and mood swings. June Carter wouldn't have Johnny while he was married, but she wanted to. Reese Witherspoon played her very well, and she was a delight to watch.

This movie doesn't compare to "Coal Miner's Daughter," which held my interest throughout and had a lighter side to it. One interesting thing about the movie is that it also shows how Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis got started.

The movie is full of Johnny and June's songs including "Jackson," and "Walk the Line," of course.

The movie is a keeper for me, but not a 5 star movie.Read full review...

WALK THE LINE DVD

The problem with a movie like this is it should have been about six weeks long to give a honest presentation of the important parts of the lives of these characters. What was actually accomplished was very good in the time allowed.

I decided to buy it because I knew I would want to watch it uninterrupted many times. My wife enjoyed it and was thrilled with it which is very unusual as she is very picky about movies.

Nobody could have done a adequate job of playing the part of Johnny Cash but Johnny Cash. I haven't the foggiest idea of who could have done it better than Phoenix. When the principal character is more strong than John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart not much can be done with it. Proof of this will be 20 years down the road when nobody has bothered to make a movie about Wayne or Stewart.

The role of June Carter was more than adequately played by Reese Witherspoon and was delightful to watch. I doubt that June Carter could have ever played Reese Witherspoon who has always been in your face dynamite and cute enough to get away with it. There are several country singers who could have played the role but Witherspoon carried the movie which leaves what without her.Read full review...

Excellent Acting Combusting Into A Truly Amazing Story

I loved this movie, the chemistry between the actors was fantastic, the story was a true portray of what one man had to over come and the women he loved for a very long time. The truth behind the Man in Black, issues and emotions that show the real drama of a truly amazing mans life. From his own thoughts to his first site of his true love. The issues that came between him and finding his place in life and his happiness. I thought they could not have picked a better pair or actors to play these roles, totally outstanding work of art. I have not seen a movie come close to this in years. I will buy this movie and watch it over and over, along with the soundtrack. Just outstanding in my eyes. If you have not watched this movie then I would highly suggest you do so. If you do not then you are missing out on seeing one of a true American Legend be born.Read full review...

Hmmm. Doesn't look like Nancy and Lee

In WALK THE LINE, Joaquin Phoenix shows that he's come a long way since his role as the crazy Caesar in GLADIATOR.

Those going into WALK THE LINE thinking it's a comprehensive film bio of Johnny Cash may perhaps come out slightly disappointed. While there's a relative brief sequence of his early years growing up on an Arkansas cotton farm, an even briefer sequence of his time in the Air Force in the early 50s, the film really begins in 1955 when, failing as a door-to-door salesman and wannabe gospel singer, he cuts a rock 'n' roll record for Sun Studios in Memphis and his career as a CW crooner takes off. The film ends with his marriage to June Carter in 1968. In between, against the backdrop of early hits, it focuses on his failed marriage to first wife Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin), his self-destructive abuse of amphetamines, and rocky relationship with singer/actress Carter (Reese Witherspoon), a twice-divorced single mother of two.

The real treat of WALK THE LINE is watching Phoenix and Witherspoon amaze with Oscar-caliber dramatic performances. Who would have suspected that the latter was capable of anything other than light comedy?

In case you haven't seen the film and you're wondering, Phoenix and Witherspoon themselves sing the Cash/Carter material; they're surprisingly effective. Mind you, I've never been such a Cash fan that I've possessed any of his albums, and I've only previously downloaded one of his songs ("City of New Orleans"). Indeed, when Phoenix and Witherspoon recreate the Cash/Carter duet of "Jackson", my first thought was: Didn't Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood do that?

Coming out of the screening, my wife remarked that Phoenix sounded very much like Johnny himself. My response was a non-committal but prudent "Mmmm". Back home at the computer, I downloaded a couple more Cash songs, including his "Jackson" duet with Carter. To my ears, the real Cash had a singing voice that was slightly hoarser, and with a more pronounced slow drawl than Joaquin's version. While that doesn't detract from the actor's performance, it may cause purists to grumble.

The film's opening scene is of two guards on a tower at Folsom Prison listening to the bass "thump, thump, thump" washing over the prison yard from the hall in which Cash is about to perform his famous concert before the inmates. My wife and I were sitting in the front row of the studio screening theater and the sound reverberated through our bones. I knew then that WALK THE LINE was going to be an exceptional film.Read full review...

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

JOAQUIN AND REESE REALLY NAILED JUNE AND JOHNNY'S VOICES AS WELL AS OTHER ACTING. REALLY SUPERB ! A REAL CREDIT TO THEIR TALENT AND DIRECTOR'S TALENT. RECOMMEND THIS DVD VERY HIGHLY.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

Great Title - actually perfect for the movie!

I absolutely loved this movie. Everything about it was just great. I can't think of a think that I disliked about the movie. Also, I bought the movie "sight unseen" from e-bay, and do not regret it. In fact, I have watched several times or more, since I purchased it. I bought the movie, because I heard that it was a really good movie, and pretty true to its storyline. I also bought it due to the actor and actress. I like both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Whitherspoon (can't think of a movie they've been in that I didn't like), and after seeing her win the "best actress" Oscar award, it really made me want to see it. After seeing it, Joaquin should have won the "best actor" Oscar as well. I figured that it would be a keeper (which it is), so I went on and purchased it.Read full review...

I love it

Wow. Thank u. The picture quality in this movie is so spot on. There were no scratch marks...no smudges...nothing.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: funkyfindsllc

Walk The Line In Fast Forward

Unfortunately, many of these "reviewers" are using this venue as seller feedback. As some have said, the story Of Johnny's life before his fame is really way to short. Hollywood preferred to concentrate on his drug addition.

I was very surprised that both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon had done the singing. Reese (as June Carter Cash) gave an especially fine performance. While Phoenix's performance was decent, I felt like he over-acted in many of the drug crazed scenes, but I guess if one hasn't been there, the actor does as directed.

All and all it was a love story times three; First the passion of Cash's desire to be a singer, his obsession with drugs and third his total love and loyalty to June.

You don't have to be an avid Johnny Cash fan to enjoy the movie, but if you always HAVE to change the channel when one of his songs is playing, you'd probably want to pass on this one.Read full review...

Johnny and June Cash

Roger Ebert says it all: "The music is great, the drama is great, the writing is great, the performances are great. I love it!" Even the drug addiction scenes were good, that was part of the life of the great Johnny Cash. And the amazing love of June Carter to stand by him through all of the bad times! Very entertaining movie, you will want to watch it again and again! Well worth having!Read full review...

Depressing Then Inspiring all in one!

Watched this Movie 4 times now. First time I watched it I must say my comments were that it was a depressing movie. Yes some say it is a white mans Ray, and it does follow a similiar story line. But differant in so many ways. Yes seeing someones addictions is usually depressing. Seeing a man in love with another women for many years and living with anoother was a depresssing. However what a turn to inspiration. A women loves a man and helps him beat his addiction. A love affair where they each spent the majority of there Life with other partners, yet become one and remain together to the end for 35 years. How interesting. I will not ruin some interesting early tradegy in John Cash's life, or family relationships who shaped who he was. Some scenes will bring a grown man to tears. Yes the wife will like it also. This one is a buy. Thanks BIGLANCESRead full review...