Writer/Director: James Mangold
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon
‘A Captivating Classic
Few musicians have built a legacy as strong as Johnny Cash. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1950’s, Cash became a renowned icon in the world of country music. With a powerful stage presence, undeniable charisma and charming personality, Cash built a huge fan following. Nothing in the world could stop a divine musician which walked the line from composing melodies which shine. A singer which poured his heart and soul into every single song, Cash was determined to make music his primary goal. However, in 2003 the musician’s career came towards a traumatic closure when he died from diabetes. Cash’s heartbreaking death marked a huge loss for the modern music industry. In the wake of his devastating death, Cash made many strong songs which are worth hearing. Given the big impact which he had on the world, Cash has often been depicted in films. A musician with bold presence, Cash made many songs which earned an audience.
As a huge fan of a musician whose melodies have never lost ability to shine, I adored “Walk the Line”. Released in 2005, James Mangold’s movie did an extraordinary job of celebrating Johnny Cash’s legacy. Packed with stunning production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best music biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Joaquin Phoenix, who embodies the larger-than-life personality of a legendary singer. Ultimately, what makes “Walk the Line” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about musicians, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the dangers of alcohol addiction which definitely resonates with everyone. A music masterpiece about a legendary musician, there are several strong reasons why “Walk the Line” is a movie that’s worth seeing.
Amidst 1980’s Memphis, “Walk the Line” tells the true story of how Johnny Cash became a musician crafting melodies that shine. Joaquin Phoenix portrays Johnny Cash, an ambitious musician with big dreams of being successful. Cash has always had lifelong love for creating melodies which shape his identity. Assisted by his dedicated love interest June Carter (Reese Witherspoon), Cash sets out on a journey to be a legendary country singer. However, Cash’s dreams to become a world-famous singer are threatened by drugs causing disaster. Growing addicted to dangerous pills, Cash is faced with obstacles that are challenging. Suffering from severe alcohol addiction, Cash embarks upon a path of self-destruction. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Cash wonders if it’s possible for him to accomplish his dreams of being a successful singer. Faced with hurdles that are tragic, Cash questions whether he can become an iconic singer in a competitive world of country music.
James Mangold is a newcomer towards stories of musicians. Before he had directed “Walk the Line”, Mangold had never made a movie about musicians before. Mangold was well-known for making movies in the crime genre. With “Walk the Line”, however, he created his first musical biopic. It was the filmmaker’s first attempts to capture the barriers faced by country singers, but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Mangold captures a musician embarking on a journey to achieve fame in the industry. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as breathtaking as songs Johnny Cash seeks to organize. Mangold successfully uses montages to capture a musician enduring obstacles of rejection. For instance, montages elevate the rejection scene. During this intense scene, Johnny Cash is disappointed when his song is rejected by a famous music producer. One appreciates montages capturing hardship thar country singers are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” suggested, montages elevate musicals about lovers in L.A. However, it excels tremendously in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Mangold captures grim hardships that musicians seeking success are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Walk the Line” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Mangold effectively employs live-singing capturing grim hardships musicians are facing. Unlike most musical biopics that use fake vocals, Mangold successfully uses live singing. The actors actually learned to compose melodies for the film. For instance, live-singing elevates the Get a Rhythm music scene. During this memorable scene, Johnny Cash delivers a memorable musical act at his first ever concert. One admires live-singing capturing the passion of musicians which are inspiring. Live-singing is a risky technique to use in films. As Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables” suggested, live-singing enhances Broadway adaptations. Dexter Fletcher’s “Rocketman” suggested live-singing elevates biopics about Elton John. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. T. Bone Burnett’s musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie atmosphere capturing the burden which musicians bear. Through stunning production-design, Mangold honours musicians that walk the line.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Walk the Line” is a music film which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses non-linear storytelling to capture tense obstacles a singer is facing. Mangold’s finest screenwriting strength is his ability to capture the lives of musicians with childhood trauma by non-linear storytelling. The film seamlessly switches back and forth between two distinct time periods: flashbacks of Johnny Cash’s sad past and present-day scenes of his career as a singer. For instance, non-linear storytelling elevates the brother death scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Johnny Cash recalls his brother’s traumatic death in a tragic accident that leaves his family emotionally devastated. One appreciates non-linear storytelling which captures the life of a country musician which is engaging. Non-linear storytelling is a complex technique to employ in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” suggested, non-linear storytelling elevates movies about the lives of historical inventors. Nevertheless, it works very well in this movie. Using a strong screenplay, Mangold honours one of the finest musicians in the world today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Joaquin Phoenix delivers one of his best career performances as Johnny Cash. Phoenix first gained appreciation for playing evil emperors in classic medieval films. With “Walk the Line”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to embody a renowned singer which changed the world, but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Phoenix is known for his roles in dramas. With “Walk the Line”, however, the actor showcased flair for singing he had never shown in his career before. With mesmerizing expressions he captures angst, determination and trauma of a legendary musician. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing conflicted characters. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most talented actors working today.
Reese Witherspoon is remarkable as an iconic female singer that engages in a romantic affair causing disaster. While Phoenix gets a showier role, Witherspoon is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. As June Carter, Witherspoon showcased flair for singing melodies that she hadn’t depicted in her career. Whether she is flirting with Johnny Cash or performing a song that’s challenging, Witherspoon uses her host language to create a singer that’s compelling. It’s a role that gave the actress the chance to step out of her comfort zone playing a singer that’s well-known. It’s a terrific performance from one of the finest actresses working in the film industry today.
Finally, “Walk the Line” will earn appreciation of everyone for honouring a divine musician which composed melodies that shine. Unlike most musical biopics, it tackles themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as alcoholism, determination and trauma which would resonate with everyone. It delivers a profound message about addiction which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Johnny Cash to appreciate it. Therefore, “Walk the Line” is one of those rare musical biopics that everyone will adore.
Fans of Johnny Cash will definitely appreciate “Walk the Line” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating musical biopic, it celebrates a musician which has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 70 years after Johnny Cash overcame the barrier of drug addiction to become a world-famous singer that changed the world forever, it’s a melodious reminder of a musician that had a huge impact on popular culture earning a huge fan following for his larger-than-life stage presence who timeless melodies people definitely deserve to treasure several years after his heartbreaking death caused the world to experience terror.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 