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All Movie Info
Directed By
James Mangold
Written By:
James Mangold, Gill Dennis
Cast:
Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Patrick, Ginnifer Goodwin, Dallas Roberts, Larry Bagby, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Clay Steakley, Hailey Anne Nelson, Waylon Payne, Tyler Hilton, Dan John Miller, Shelby Lynne, Dan John Miller, Shooter Jennings, Johnathan Rice, Dan Beene
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Walk the Line (2005)
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Movie Review by Max 
April 7th, 2006
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Joaquin Phoenix gives a strong performance as Johnny Cash, but with a story that just drags a long, we're lucky to have any music at all. Walk The Line is like waiting in a doctors office, sitting there for a long time, with a lot of other people who are awkwardly waiting for something, anything to happen. With Jamie Foxx in Ray this last season, do we need another?
Walk The Line is the story of Johnny Cash's (Joaquin Phoenix) career as a struggling, lovesick, country star and his relationship with fellow star, June Carter (Reese Witherspoon). Cash grew up on a cotton farm in depression-era Arkansas with his hot-tempered father (Robert Patrick, the other Terminator in Terminator 2), mother (Shelby Lynne), and brother (Lucas Till) who had a tragic incident. As he grows older he heads off to the war, returns and marries for the first time, to Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin). Cash and a few of his friends form a small band, and eventually make a record at a local place... and they become very popular. He begins to tour with some big names including Elvis Presley and June Carter. Through touring Cash grows apart from his wife and has a bad run in with drugs and drinking. After fantastic musical performances by Phoenix and Witherspoon after much dramatic and romantic tension between Cash and Carter, the two decide to marry, and both die in 2003, June not lasting long without Johnny.
As I mentioned before the performances are near flawless, this is one of the best films Phoenix has ever acted in and by far the best film Witherspoon has ever acted in. This is due to the fact she was actually given a part that deserves such a performance. Witherspoon is known for cutesy, dopey, and energetic characters such as Elle in the Legally Blonde films.
Overall, James Mangold's Walk The Line gives us strong performances, but a very long film, and without music, unfortunately wouldn't be able to keep our attention. Phoenix and Witherspoon both have a chance at being nominated at the Oscars for their performances.
Rated PG-13 for some language, thematic material and depiction of drug dependency. Running time 136 minutes.
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