I saw "Walk the Line" the Johnny Cash bio a few nights ago. I haven't seen the last few musician biopics so I don't have a lot to compare this movie to, but I liked the movie quite a bit.
Reese Witherspoon tore up the stage as June Carter. I mean she could have a career in country music in the time it takes for you to shed a tear in your beer. Based on her portrayal of June Carter it was easy for me to see why Mr. Cash fell in love with her -- I think the whole audience was in love with her by the end of the movie. I loved how the movie showed them dancing around each other for so many years. I loved the way she walked around his addiction then plunged right in to help him when it seemed he needed it most. I loved her smile.
Joaquin Phoenix was ok as Johnny Cash. He had the mannerisms but something was missing in the way he covered the music. Personally, I would have preferred that more of the music was gleamed from the original recordings.
I'm predisposed to like any movie with a tragically flawed hero, so take my recommendation with a grain of salt. I give it four stars out of five. The worst thing about the movie is that it ends to soon. I wanted to see him as an old man with June Carter still at his side.
After seeing the movie, I had to get out my "American IV: The Man Comes Around" album. I love that album. Cash's cover of Trent Reznor's "Hurt" is haunting. The original Nine Inch Nails version is good, but Cash's treatment, with it's spare melody and emotional voice, is fantastic. Once you see Cash's personal struggles with addiction on the big screen the song takes on even more life and meaning. The whole album is really good although I'm not fond of the duet on "Bridge Over Troubled Waters". It's not that I dislike Fiona Apple; it's just that she doesn't add much to the song and their voices don't seem to compliment each other at all.
I think I need to add a few more Johnny Cash albums to my Christmas wish list. I don't think I'm alone in this. I went to Target to pick up some grocery tems on Saturday; the Cash section was all sold out.
