Walk the Line, Part 1

Last night I did something that I don’t think I’ve done in over a year. I went to a grown-up movie. Oh sure, I’ve been to the movies, even recently. Things like “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” “Chronicles of Narnia,” and “Chicken Little.” But last night, I went and saw “Walk the Line.” Add the bonus of an intelligent fellow grown-up with whom to discuss the film, and I was in heaven.

I’ll probably have to split this into two posts, so I’ll start with the basic review. First of all, the acting. Now, I like Reese Witherspoon well enough, truly I do. Throughout most of the movie, though, it seemed I was always aware that I was watching Reese-as-June. The only exceptions were the parts where she was singing. I think Mrs. Philippe might have a bit of the closet singer in her, because to me, the transformation was startling, even if she was lip-synching… suddenly she became June Carter.

Joaquin Phoenix was simply amazing. I’ve heard many things about him as an actor in general, and many things about his process during the filming of this movie. Still, I was blown away watching him, because never once did I feel like I was watching Joaquin-as-Johnny, even when I went deliberately looking for it after making that observation about Reese. (Here again, nothing against her – I think she’s one of those people who just has such a unique look to her, that it’s hard to get past.) From what I hear, Johnny Cash hand-picked Joaquin Phoenix to play him, and I can’t help but think the Man in Black is pleased with his decision.

I don’t know enough of Cash’s music, didn’t know enough of his story, to lose interest in that part of things. In places, it moved me nearly to tears. Mostly, though, it was just an incredible story. It was told well. I was amazed at how perfect Robert Patrick seemed as Ray Cash – I couldn’t picture him as old enough to play Johnny’s father, but then again, Terminator 2 was a long time ago, wasn’t it? And it was a nice touch, to have Shooter Jennings play Waylon Jennings. I couldn’t tell you if they look alike, but it was still a nice touch.

I had read an article that said one of Johnny’s children with his first wife, wasn’t pleased with the portrayal of that marriage and of his/her mother. The child apparently thought the mother came off badly. I didn’t see that; I saw a tragic story of a couple that probably never should have been married in the first place, and a messed-up man who didn’t know how to do right by his family, and who just plain fell in love with another woman. I don’t agree with how he went about things, but hey, are any of us perfect? I know I’m not… I was amazed that Vivian put up with his antics as long as she did. I was impressed at her strength when she told June to stay away from her children. And I was proud of her decision to leave when she did, and under what circumstances.

Overall, I’d say it was a pretty fantastic movie. I love looking into the lives of people so iconic, and I have a special soft spot for Johnny Cash because he’s one of the artists who has always made me think of my beloved Papa… and that’s part of the story for me to tell in another post, about the things this movie made me think about.

A movie that made me think. Imagine that.