With “Walk the Line,” starring Joaquin Pheonix and Reese Witherspoon, you will experience the most realistic portrayal of Johnny Cash who recently passed in 2003.
Viewers get a chance to experience Pheonix as he plays the role of Cash unveiling his struggle and journey and ultimate personal transformation from a poor war veteran to a pop star that has become a present-day legend.
Witherspoon flawlessly portrays the role of June Carter. She impressively transforms herself from Elle Woods of “Legally Blonde” to a headstrong Catholic southern girl born into the life of performing. Witherspoon accurately portrays Carter’s struggle to find herself and her place in life and love.
Surprisingly, the songs were performed by Pheonix and Witherspoon. The voice of Cash shines through Pheonix’s deep singing voice while he flawlessly sings Cash’s lyrics of heartache and survival. His tone and overall demeanor is amazingly similar to Cash’s.
The beauty of the film is that it shows Cash’s struggle with poverty and then ultimately his struggle with a prolonged drug addiction because of his newfound wealth. You can almost feel the pain and suffering of a man who has been to hell and back not only in his songs, but also through Pheonix’s excellent acting.
This film will blow Cash fans away. It makes you leave the theater wanting more. Because of the incredible acting and entertaining music, the film could have been four hours long and would still leave viewers yearning for more lyrically heartfelt and personal music. Yearning to look into more of Cash’s life.
The casting director could not have chosen any other actors to play Cash and Carter. It is almost as if they made a documentary of the most crucial part of their lives and now, after their deaths are revealing it to us through this film.
It will not be a surprise to many if Pheonix and Witherspoon become favored Oscar contenders. Their performances and overall underlying connection was mind-blowing.
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