Isabella Furst
- Nov 23, 2020
- 5 min read

"Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight."

I'm trying a new thing with these blogs and decided to create a list of some potential films I think would be interesting to write about. I've numbered them and each time I write a new blog, I generate a random number through an online generator and that is the film I then discuss for the new blog. In a way, it adds excitement as I really don't know what film I will be writing about and it presents a new challenge too as some of the films on the list are films I feel I could easily discuss whilst there are a few that are a bit more tricky. The film for this blog is...'Walk The Line.'

'Walk The Line' is the 2005 biopic based on the life of the notorious Johnny Cash and his developments as a musician over the span of his life from growing up in the fields of Arkansas in the '40s, to his performance at Folsom Prison in 1968. Magnificently taking on the role of Cash in this biopic is the remarkable Joaquin Phoenix (but you don't need me to highlight that to you as he's extraordinary in everything he does) and his performance in this film is one of my personal favourites from his incredible career. Starring alongside Phoenix in the film is the brilliant Reese Witherspoon who portrays Cash's long-term lover June Carter with whom they shared a complicated and tumultuous yet loving relationship. At the start of their meeting, June is under scrutiny for a very public divorce (something disapproved of at the time) and Cash is married with 4 daughters, yet it is clear that the spark between them will change the course of their relationship forever. As the film progresses, we view the emotional end to Cash's marriage to Vivian Liberto (portrayed by the amazing Ginnifer Goodwin) before numerous proposal attempts to June. As his fame grew, so did his addiction problems yet the film carefully portrays the bond the two have and how June acted as a support for Cash in his times of need - before finally committing to a marriage with Cash in 1968 that ultimately lasted over 35 years. The relationship was as put by Larissa Harris*, as 'a both passionate and painful marriage.' And this is evidently showcased in the film.

The movie is riddled with complex themes such as the ones mentioned above, like the infidelity of Cash, the battles with addiction, and all this against the backdrop of newfound fame. It very carefully presents the experiences of Cash and those within his life without placing blame on any for actions they make in their lives and ties it all together with a beautiful sensitivity that is hard to achieve in a biopic. Like any biopic, there is a duty to tell the tale of one's life whilst at the same time paying respect to the individual being portrayed, and James Mangold carefully crafts this movie in such a way that achieves just that.

With any great biopic, the music is key and the soundtrack to this film is brilliant. Obviously filled to the brim with Cash, the soundtrack also features songs from other artists that were touring with Cash at the time. such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and of course, June Carter. It's nice to see in a biopic because it really highlights the environment in which the artist was living and really helps to contextualize the situation and remind the audience that Cash was not the only one experiencing newfound fame during this period. It's refreshing to watch. What is also amazing to watch within the film is that both Phoenix and Witherspoon sang all their songs themselves. Whilst both trained with vocal coaches to achieve the correct sound for each of their characters, this is no easy task to undertake, and both complete this fantastically. Witherspoon achieving the bouncy and joyful country tone of Carter whilst Phoenix simply nails the bass country twang with which Cash is so well-known for. Not to mention Cash's entire facial movements whilst he sings too. It's a pretty impeccable performance which is why it comes as no surprise that both Phoenix and Witherspoon were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances in the film with Witherspoon winning her first Academy Award for Best Actress and the film also running up for Best Costume Design, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Film Editing.

I must also mention the only issue I found with the movie and something I only realised after reading reviews on the film afterwards, was its lack of representation of Cash's faith. Whilst touched upon during the movie and Cash's upbringing, Cash's faith played an important role both within his personal life and through his music and I feel this may have been left out in order to appeal to a wider contemporary audience. It still would have been nice to see it touched upon more but it certainly doesn't tarnish the masterpiece that has instead been created!

Overall the film is beautifully crafted to follow the life of Cash from a young boy all the way through his career up to his performance at Folsom Prison. There is so much more I want to discuss but like always I don't wish to spoil the film any more than I have. I have provided enough information to hopefully entice you to enjoy the film for yourself, or not if it doesn't seem like your cup of tea. I am only here to give my honest opinion about my experience watching the film and here I feel I have. There is certainly no better time to watch this movie than on a rainy Sunday afternoon with a cup of something hot and a cosy warm blanket. Absolute heaven in the comfort of your home.

Quick Trivia:

The film was screened for the inmates of Folsom Prison, thirty-eight years after Johnny Cash's landmark performance.
Johnny Cash approved Joaquin Phoenix to play him in the film because he liked his performance in Gladiator (2000). June Carter Cash also approved Reese Witherspoon for her role in the film.
When James Mangold asked Johnny Cash what his favorite film was, the singer replied Frankenstein (1931), "because it's about a man-made up of all these bad parts and yet he still tries to do something decent and be someone decent."
Johnny Cash's daughter Rosanne Cash was not a fan of the film. "It was like having a root canal without anesthetic," she said.
Joaquin Phoenix wears fifty-six different costumes. All were designed by Arianne Phillips following meticulous research within the Cash family's archives and fans' private collections.
At 5' 8" tall, Joaquin Phoenix is six inches shorter than the 6'2" Johnny Cash.
After visiting many of Johnny Cash's old houses, production designer David J. Bomba created ninety different sets for the film and tried to underline the contrast between Cash's two lives, one that was close to earth and nature in Arkansas and Tennessee, and the other set in the fast-moving world of rock music.