A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days to his rise to fame.
Love sure ain"t what it used to be.... and when June Carter (Reese Witherspoon) gets caught in Johnny Cash's (Joaquin Phoenix) guitar strap, you know that 'trouble's a-coming'. Academy Award Winner for Best Actress in 2005, for her part in 'Walk the Line,' Reese gives a master-class in playing hard to get. Her will-power keeping Johnny at arms length is stellar. Her elusive charms lead him to get so wild with sexual tension that he pulls the sink out of his dressing room wall, following it up with a cocktail of pills and drink. Reese"s performance is effortless but you can't help thinking that she's not really that stretched. On the other hand, Joaquin portrays a soulful Johnny Cash in and out of the emotional abyss - tormented addict, star, husband, lover and disturbed son of critical father. Sophisticated Joaquin doesn't quite convince as 'hick from the sticks' as he glowers into the bed-posts in his family"s shack at the start of the movie. However, later he more than makes up for it as he embraces his favourite role - the anti-hero. Although the songs are dated and the music and acquired taste, the actors bring them alive by their authentic interpretations. Humour comes from the juxtaposition of the normality of the lives of the parents of their rock 'n' roll offspring. For men, it"s time to see the ultimate rebel carve out his own path and career and for the women, it"s a seminar in taming that wild man...
I am not a fan of country & western music, but I do like a good strong storyline, so I did approach this movie with some apprehension, as to whether I would like it or not.
I should not have been concerned, because this is a good and strong story and is not the usual ' retropective of 1950's America' and how good it was supposed to be.
The story of the young Johnny Cash was, as expected, a gritty and honest portrayal of an American Folk Hero, warts and all.
Excellent performances from Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash, and an equally powerful and believable role as June Carter from Reese Witherspoon.
This is gritty realism about 1950's youth and the music they loved, with supporting lists of performers including Jerry Lee Lewis and the young Elvis.
What makes this film a level above all other films of a similar nature, is the very strong performances from both leading characters.
The way the film is constructed, you are almost immediately made aware of the tension and eventual electricity that smouldered between Cash and Carter, as they are thrown together on tours of the US.
A soundtrack worthy of any collection is a bonus as this film's power begins to build and build, so that the viewer is made aware quickly, that this is not simply a film about music, it is more about family values and the pressures fame brings to all who seek fame and fortune.
Visually the film is closely toned to reflect
1950's colours, so you can quickly become associated with the feeling of the times.
You could think that this is just another, 'poor boy becomes rich, against the odds' type of film, and you would be correct, but this story tells you much more about the life of the 'Man in Black'.
A very good film with strong characters, and great performances, lift this film into the 'must have' catagory.
You will not be dissappointed......
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Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. Love is a burning thing. In 1955, a tough, skinny guitar-slinger who called himself J.R. Cash walked into the soon-to-be-famous Sun Studios in Memphis. It was a moment that would have an indelible effect on American culture. With his driving freight-train chords, steel-eyed intensity and a voice as deep and black as night, Cash sang blistering songs of heartache and survival that were gutsy, full of real life and unlike anything heard before. That day kicked off the electrifying early career of Johnny Cash. As he pioneered a fiercely original sound that blazed a trail for rock, country, punk, folk and rap stars to come, Cash began a rough-and-tumble journey of personal transformation. In the most volatile period of his life, he evolved from a self-destructive pop star into the iconic 'Man in Black' - facing down his demons, fighting for the love that would save him time and again, and learning how to walk the razor-thin line between destruction and redemption. Actors Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dallas Roberts, Dan John Miller, Larry Bagby, Shelby Lynne, Waylon Payne, Shooter Jennings, Johnathan Rice, Tyler Hilton, James Keach, Victoria Hester & Johnny Holiday Director James Mangold Certificate 12 years and over Year 2005 Screen Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic Languages English - Dolby Digital (5.1) Subtitles English for the hearing impaired Duration 2 hours and 10 minutes (approx) Region Region 2 - Will only play on European Region 2 or multi-region DVD players.
Drama following the life of the legendary 'Man in Black', Johnny Cash. The movie begins in 1955, when a tough, skinny guitar-slinger who called himself J.R. Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) walks into the soon-to-be-famous Sun Studios in Memphis. It was a moment that would have an indelible effect on American culture. With his driving freight-train chords, steel-eyed intensity and a voice as deep and black as night, Cash sang blistering songs of heartache and survival that were gutsy, full of real life and unlike anything heard before. That day kicked off the electrifying early career of Johnny Cash. As he pioneered a fiercely original sound that blazed a trail for rock, country, punk, folk and rap stars to come, Cash began a rough-and-tumble journey of personal transformation. In the most volatile period of his life, he evolved from a self-destructive pop star into the iconic 'Man in Black' - facing down his demons, fighting for the love that would save him time and again, and learning how to walk the razor-thin line between destruction and redemption. Reese Witherspoon won a Best Actress Academy Award for her role as June Carter, Cash's long-suffering wife.
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