After coincidentally being on-hand for the premiere of Walk The Line, held last week at New York's Beacon Theatre (and by 'on-hand,' I mean as a random NY spectator), I checked out the actual film tonight. Speaking of coincidences, this particular Loews was hosting the premiere of George Clooney's Syriana as I was walking in tonight...weird.
"I'm Johnny Cash." That's the featured line from not only the film's previews, but also one of the notable quotes from Mr. Cash's performing days. Like "thank you, thank you very much" to Elvis. This film's excellence is found in the way it so completely answers the inherent question in that statement, the question of "who really is (was) Johnny Cash?" In addition to detailed studying of "Man in Black" and "CASH," writers Gill Dennis and James Mangold certainly did their homework by not only researching the lives of both Johnny and June, but also taking the time to meet with them repeatedly, developing a friendship throughout the film's four-year process. And it showed.
Absolutely masterpiece performances were turned in by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, most impressive being the fact that they performed all of the songs themselves. We're not talking about Tom Cruise singing "Great Balls of Fire" here, we're talking dead-on reincarnations of two legendary country singers. Phoenix's keen ability to endear through the sincere side of Mr. Cash, while often in the same scene haunt with Cash's inner demons, was outstanding. Witherspoon's sense of June Carter's charm was perfect, but most impressive was the way she showed June's strength and devotion to Johnny, especially in his darkest hours.
Walk The Line is the story of Johnny and June Carter Cash as two of the country's most revered performers, but moreso it is an American tale of love and pain, and the overwhelming bond between two soulmates.
See it TODAY. For more information, check out: www.walkthelinethemovie.com.
