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United States, Germany · 2005
Rated PG-13 · 2h 16m
Director James Mangold
Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick
Genre Drama, Music, Romance
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A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
I couldn't imagine anyone better suited to play the role. But this movie is a lot less interesting than it might be. Though it's not bad--in fact, it's rather sweet--it's too simple a portrait of a very complicated and calculating entertainer.
An engaging biopic that would totally lack surprise were it not for Reese Witherspoon, and a healthy touch of ambivalence about the populist myth that bound The Man in Black to his adoring public.
In no way obsessive, Walk the Line is more sincerely--which is to say, more boringly--sincere. It doesn't leave you with much to think about, except maybe the empty vibrato of effective ventriloquism.
ReelViews by James Berardinelli
This movie has a driving plotline that "Ray" lacked - a love story. To me, that's what elevates this film.
New York Magazine (Vulture) by Ken Tucker
There are too many musical performances in this movie, even for a country fan such as myself, to keep the city slickers engaged. This bespeaks great faith in the charisma of the stars, who merit it. They also, however, deserved a better script.
Ends up being another one of those life-of-an-entertainer films that reduces an artist to his most embarrassing moments.
Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman
A big, juicy, enjoyable wide-canvas biography with a handful of indelible moments.
Rolling Stone by Peter Travers
Witherspoon has nailed it before, notably in "Election," but her portrayal of June is astounding in its vitality and richness.
Dallas Observer by Robert Wilonsky
For all the affection Mangold feels for Cash and Carter, the movie feels oddly dispassionate.
Walk the Line is a strongly acted, musically vibrant, conventionally satisfying biopic of country/rock/blues legend Johnny Cash and his second wife, June Carter.
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