Review – Walk the Line
Monday, November 21, 2005

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Patrick and Ginnifer Goodwin
Directed by: James Mangold
Written by: James Mangold, Gill Dennis

I saw this film after seeing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (see review). After seeing such an “epic” film, seeing an autobiographical rockumentary might have been a downer. But it so wasn’t!

And when I say after, I mean right after. And I have to just say, that it was a fabulous day, this day I saw these films. I took off work early, had lunch out and saw Harry Potter. Then I went right from there to dinner out and then to Walk the Line. And I love both films and I had not seen a film that I loved in quite sometime. And to not be working and eating out, too… Well, it was heaven.

First off, I’ll admit I may have a slight bias. Joaquin is my favorite actor, by far. He just has such dedication to his craft; it really shows in his performances. How many people saw Gladiator and hated Commodus so much, you forgot this was just an actor’s portrayal?

Having said that, the movie is awesome.

I love that Joaquin and Reese both sang for their respective characters, Johnny Cash and June Carter.

The music was great. I’m not a fan of country at all, but Johnny Cash is not typical country. He’s more blues-type rockabilly, or something. I mean, his music is indefinable, perhaps. Well, it’s definitely unique. And I like it. I think Joaquin does it justice. But there is that bias. So you’ll just have to see for yourself.

We also get portrayals of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly and the joy of hearing some of their long living music. There is definitely a lot of nostalgia in the movie. And it’s definitely fun.

But it’s interesting to note that times really haven’t changed all that much. The problems dealt with in the film – parental approval, drug addiction, true love – are all things that will always be human issues.

I found the characters to be well-defined and the story to be well-told and entertaining. It definitely did not seem like the 136 minutes that it is.

I only hope that Joaquin gets the Oscar for this role that he should have received for Gladiator. But if not, he’ll still be the best in my book. And what’s an award worth anyway? Scorsese still hasn’t gotten his.

At any rate, Walk the Line is definitely worth standing in line for. Sorry, couldn’t help myself.