Walk The Line

I took in this movie last night, and I was quite surprised. In a good way. Before this movie came out, I had only heard of Johnny Cash once. And when it was out, I started downloading his songs, and getting more and more into his work. Then, Bravo (I think it was) had this biography documentary on Cash, and I really got to know the guy. But of course with all biographies, they almost always portray the person in question in a positive light.

Well, Walk the Line wasn't afraid to go in the other direction. The movie stops short of where his career really picks up, gives up the pills, and is finally a good father. But it shows Cash as a man who is consumed with stardom, and uses the pills to get away from his family and fans and the constant rejection from June Carter. I guess the Cash I, personally, never knew. That's why it was a really good movie.

The only thing I didn't like about it was Joaquin Phoenix. I don't know why, I really hate this guy. I always thought he had a cleft lip (I am very disgusted with deformities--I don't know why) but according to IMDB, "Contrary to popular belief, the scar on his lip is not the result of a repaired cleft lip or palate. It is simply a birth mark. Phoenix has stated in interviews that, while pregnant with him, his mother felt a sharp pain one day, and he was born with a mark on his lip."

But even without the lip, I just think he's a bad actor. But again according to IMDB, "Johnny Cash chose Joaquin Phoenix to play him in the film. June Carter Cash reportedly chose Reese Witherspoon for her role in the film. Also."

So I don't know. Cash obviously saw something in the man, why can't I! I thought Reese Witherspoon did an excellent job playing June Carter, her singing was excellent. Phoenix's singing was amazing. I loved how he sounded more and more like Cash as the movie went along...Kind of showing how Cash grew into the voice we all know now.