Product ReviewsWalk the Line (DVD, 2007, Widescreen)

Hmmm. Doesn't look like Nancy and Lee

In WALK THE LINE, Joaquin Phoenix shows that he's come a long way since his role as the crazy Caesar in GLADIATOR.

Those going into WALK THE LINE thinking it's a comprehensive film bio of Johnny Cash may perhaps come out slightly disappointed. While there's a relative brief sequence of his early years growing up on an Arkansas cotton farm, an even briefer sequence of his time in the Air Force in the early 50s, the film really begins in 1955 when, failing as a door-to-door salesman and wannabe gospel singer, he cuts a rock 'n' roll record for Sun Studios in Memphis and his career as a CW crooner takes off. The film ends with his marriage to June Carter in 1968. In between, against the backdrop of early hits, it focuses on his failed marriage to first wife Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin), his self-destructive abuse of amphetamines, and rocky relationship with singer/actress Carter (Reese Witherspoon), a twice-divorced single mother of two.

The real treat of WALK THE LINE is watching Phoenix and Witherspoon amaze with Oscar-caliber dramatic performances. Who would have suspected that the latter was capable of anything other than light comedy?

In case you haven't seen the film and you're wondering, Phoenix and Witherspoon themselves sing the Cash/Carter material; they're surprisingly effective. Mind you, I've never been such a Cash fan that I've possessed any of his albums, and I've only previously downloaded one of his songs ("City of New Orleans"). Indeed, when Phoenix and Witherspoon recreate the Cash/Carter duet of "Jackson", my first thought was: Didn't Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood do that?

Coming out of the screening, my wife remarked that Phoenix sounded very much like Johnny himself. My response was a non-committal but prudent "Mmmm". Back home at the computer, I downloaded a couple more Cash songs, including his "Jackson" duet with Carter. To my ears, the real Cash had a singing voice that was slightly hoarser, and with a more pronounced slow drawl than Joaquin's version. While that doesn't detract from the actor's performance, it may cause purists to grumble.

The film's opening scene is of two guards on a tower at Folsom Prison listening to the bass "thump, thump, thump" washing over the prison yard from the hall in which Cash is about to perform his famous concert before the inmates. My wife and I were sitting in the front row of the studio screening theater and the sound reverberated through our bones. I knew then that WALK THE LINE was going to be an exceptional film.Read full review...

Showed the good and sensitive side of Johnny Cash.

It is a good story of Johnny Cash and it shows their strong and weak side. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon did a great performance.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: shiftingparadigm

Love the best love story ever!

Hard to write an objective review on a movie that I already love. The only thing that would have made this better is if Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash could have played their own roles. Joaquin and Reese did a good job.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: flyersguru

Johnny Cash is cool!

Fast ship & delivery on DVD. Very entertaining.

Great DVD movie from a great eBayer!

The movie was exactly as decribed and arrived very quickly. The movie was excellent to watch, too. Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash was very believable and entertaining. Even Joaquine Phoenix was an excellent Johnny Cash.Read full review...

Walk the Line

My daughter wanted this movie because she likes Johnny Cash. I think Reese Witherspoon did a great job as June Carter Cash. She is certainly multifaceted. The movie itself was watchable, but I don't like how it portrayed the drinking and drugs so strongly in Johnny's life. I didn't like Johnny Cash as much after the movie as I did before the movie.Read full review...

Excellent Film

This is such a good movie shows the good and the bad not just a glorified look at fame. A couple who are sorely missed.

Wonderful movie!

I love this movie. I love Johnny Cash. I love how they did the period right and didn't sugar coat it all. Great movie!!

Great Movie

This movie is a great story about Johnny Cash. Joquin Pheonix is awesome playing him. This movie you will want to watch over and over again.

Best Movie

I love the relationship between the two characters and wanted to own this movie but did not want to pay the retail price. Thanks agaian.