Walk the Line (DVD, 2006, Full Frame)

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.

The performances in this movie will bring you to tears, make you laugh and ripe your emotional self limb from limb, If you only veiw one movie this month, please make it this

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!

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.

Who would have thought a story about Johnny and June would be so darn good! This movie about the Legend in Black was well worth every penny! There are a lot of DVD's out there on Ebay, be sure to give them a second look with this movie! It was well worth it! The true story of Johnny Cash and his beloved! Everyone is this movie did an excellent job portaying this legend! Definatley TWO PAWS WAY UP!!

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.

I personally like Johhny Cash, and all of his music. I think that this movie gave a look into what happened on the way to him becoming "Johnny Cash". It was very eye opening to see the things that he went through before he straightened things out and became the man that he was. I think that the acting was great and the story was presented wonderfully. The only downside to this movie is that it stopped at a point in his life where you wanted it to keep going and see how things progressed from then on, but other than that it was a great movie and I would recommed it to anyone that even just knows who Johnny Cash is, like him or not.

One of the best movie I have seen in a long time. If you but it on suround sound and close your eyes you would think June & Johnny was in the room. 5 stars is the top but this one should get 10 or more.

I really was blown away with Joaquin's performance of Mr Cash! His singing style even seems to develop more as the film goes on. I adore Reese In this film, her singing and her performance are truly a joy to watch. The film does seem to lull and then speed up in different areas. I truly enjoyed!

WOW what a movie, just love it - I would recommend to anyoneto buy this movie - there are sceans I have never seen before on the regular DVD - What more can I say about this movie - Buy it now!!!!! Many thanks, Jack

I love the actors in this movie they really did a great job. The movie is really good. I bought this movie for me and my son. We both love it.

Awsome Movie! i love it! this one of the best movies i ever see. i had to buy also the sountrack and some Johnny cash CDs. that movie inspired me to play guitar again.

this is a great movie I just had to have it for my collection. I love the full frame feature and the price was right

I love everything about it! The music, Joaquin Phoenix, Reese, the love story. I finally bought because I found a good deal. Love it.

I could watch this movie over and over again. This is one of my favorite movies and definitely worth buying!

The DVD isself was in really good condition and it played well. Thats about all Im worried about. Very Good Movie.

I'm very pleased with the DVD that I purchased from this seeler. Thank you very much for your very accurate description and prompt shipping!

thanks for the quick shipping of the movie. it exactly as you described it. looking forward to oing business with you in the future.

Before watching this movie, I knew very little, if anything about Johnny Cash or his wife June Carter. It was well written and the acting was great. I would recommend it to anyone, even if you don't like country music.

I like Johnny Cash and June Carter in the movie I bought and a thought this was a great movie to watch.

Great movie and it sounds great, and Good music ......................................................................................................................................................!

This is a great movie. Both Reese and Joquin did a fabulous job. This is a movie I would watch again. Great asset to collection of dvd.

The music in this movie is excellent! Overall the movie is great to watch and reminisce with, even though there are some untruths in the script.
A keeper for your collection!

It was a good price and shipped quickly I don't know what else you want but that is all im writing need to make this section shorter or people are going to be doing this all the time