Review Rewind: Walk The Line (2006)

(hmmm... what was that song again?)

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Patrick & Ginnifer Goodwin

Directed by: James Mangold

Screenplay by: Gill Dennis & James Mangold

Plot:

A biopic of legendary singer, songwriter Johnny Cash.

Verdict:

As James Mangold's, Walk The Line opens outside a prison facility, the distant sound of a guitar being plucked and the heavy beat of foot tapping can be heard. If you are already a fan of the man in black, then you will recognise the familiar sound immediately and find your foot joining in, if you have never heard a Johnny Cash song before, well you will start tapping anyway and by the time the end credits begin to roll you will have a new list of songs ready to download.

This opening scene perfectly sums up Walk The Line; catchy with a capital C. Director Mangold's brave decision to allow his leads, Phoenix and Witherspoon to personally sing every note sang in the movie allows for a fresh and exciting vibe in the concert scenes. With the duo haven never sang before, these scenes feel like witnessing the birth of new and thrilling vocal talent. Phoenix and Witherspoon come across so convincing and confident in their singing abilities it's a real joy to watch.

Being a biopic, Phoenix and Witherspoon have more than singing to do of course and Walk The Line's main focus is of there characters will they/wont they love story. This central relationship is appealing, sweet and convincing thanks to Phoenix and Witherspoon's terrific performances. Phoenix is great but Witherspoon is even better with an energetic turn perfectly graced with an underlying sadness.

Walk The Line only really hints at the darker side to Cash's life - being haunted by the violent death of his brother, addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs - but never fully explores them but it never hinders what is a perfectly paced and brilliantly acted film complete with a killer soundtrack.

DDDD