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Joaquin Phoenix looks good in black as he delves into the persona of Johnny Cash in the new bio flick, Walk the Line. It is hard to watch Pheonix and not think that he has been singing and performing all his life. Maybe it is all part of acting and what separates the great from the outstanding. There is one scene in particular when Cash is auditioning at Sun Studios and you see him start his journey into not only finding his sound, but finding his true self as well. No one can really know how John felt at that moment but as you watch Joaquin's face you sort of get an idea of the unbridled determination in the face of vulnerability that might have taken place.

It is fascinating to me how actors can take on the personality as well as the features of real life characters they are portraying. There were times in the film when I would look at Pheonix and think, dang, he looks remarkably like Cash. Pheonix is quiet in his words but passionate in his art. He seems to me to be a man who feels more comfortable letting his art speak for him. Likewise I think Johnny Cash let his songs speak for him. Maybe that is why Cash was drawn to Pheonix. Having watched the film now I can't picture anyone doing The Man in Black justice the way Joaquin did.

With her transformation into June Carter Cash, Reese Witherspoon goes from Legally Blonde to belting Brunette. As you watch this petite, sophisticate it is tough to imagine her pulling off the role of a twice divorced, road-tripping pioneer of American Music. But she does, and convincingly at that. Not only was there a dye job involved but Reese had to actually take on the vocal side of acting in order to sing the musical numbers in the film. Not one to back down from a challenge she met it full on. She can say what she wants about her reluctance in doing her own performances but truth be known, she is fantastic. You watch her on screen and you would think she had been crooning country songs her entire life. For two plus hours, she is June Carter Cash.

Not only does she nail the vocal parts but she also brings emotion to the screen as a young woman facing the ridicule of conservative fans while holding her own on the road with a bunch of young, up and coming musicians. One of which is the brooding Johnny Cash. Asking Reese about the real June Carter Cash elicits words like multifaceted, modern woman, hard working mother and wife. Witherspoon does a fine job of capturing all of these elements in her portrayal of June Carter. Fans of Reese's work can add this to their list of favorite roles. Though it is heavier and darker than the romantic comedies of her past, she takes to the screen the same genuineness and likeability that makes her one of the most loved and top actors in Hollywood today

Walk the Line is a movie about Johnny Cash, one particular icon who changed the face of music in his era. But you can’t tell the whole story without all the characters involved. Almost as extras, Walk the Line gives you a small glimpse into the early career of then new comers like Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley in a very simple yet candid way. Tyler Hilton may be an unknown to moviegoers, and any female over 17, but he uses his musical chops to bring to life a very young Elvis Presley in a way that is unique and memorable. One of the most impressive pieces of dialogue in this film comes from Jerry Lee Lewis. Waylon Payne has the daunting task of being Jerry Lee
but seems born to play the role.

As writer/director, James Mangold had the burden of finding one focus out of a lifetime of events in Johnny Cash’s life and molding it into a condensed 136 minutes. He does it though, brilliantly, in the must see, Walk the Line.

The Mungle (11/15/05)

Matt hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com

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