Walk the Line (2005)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

James Mangold

Writers (WGA):

Johnny Cash (book)
Gill Dennis (written by) ...

Release Date:

18 November 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

Tagline:

Love is a burning thing.

Plot:

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Prison | Johnny Cash | Concert | Germany

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 28 wins & 26 nominations

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix	...	John R. Cash
Reese Witherspoon	...	June Carter
Ginnifer Goodwin	...	Vivian Cash
Robert Patrick	...	Ray Cash
Dallas Roberts	...	Sam Phillips
Dan John Miller	...	Luther Perkins
Larry Bagby	...	Marshall Grant
Shelby Lynne	...	Carrie Cash
Tyler Hilton	...	Elvis Presley
Waylon Payne	...	Jerry Lee Lewis (as Waylon Malloy Payne)
Shooter Jennings	...	Waylon Jennings
Sandra Ellis Lafferty	...	Maybelle Carter
Dan Beene	...	Ezra Carter
Clay Steakley	...	W.S. 'Fluke' Holland
Johnathan Rice	...	Roy Orbison

Also Known As:

Cash (USA) (original script title)
Walk the Line (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some language, thematic material and depiction of drug dependency.

Runtime:

136 min | 153 min (extended cut)

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | Russian

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

UK:12A | USA:PG-13 | Ireland:12A | Finland:K-11 | Singapore:PG | Norway:11 | Germany:6 | Australia:M | Czech Republic:12 | Netherlands:MG6 | Brazil:12 | Spain:18 | Argentina:13 | Hong Kong:IIA | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Portugal:M/12 | Malaysia:U | Hungary:14 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | France:U | South Korea:15 | Japan:PG-12

Filming Locations:

Arkansas, USA

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

Waylon Payne originally auditioned for the role of Waylon Jennings (in real life, Jennings was Payne's godfather). However, the director was so impressed by Payne's audition, as well as his fire and spirit, that he cast Payne in the much bigger role of Jerry Lee Lewis. Interestingly enough, the actor who got the role of Waylon Jennings was Waylon's own son, Shooter Jennings.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The "US" collar brass (in-the-circle) seen properly on the collar of the long-sleeve khaki shirt, was not worn on the left side of the overseas cap. Anyone doing so would have been out-of-uniform and subject to disciplinary measures.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Warden: M-Mr. Cash? M-Mr. Cash?

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Boogie Blues

Johnny would be proud.

Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.

I've seen a lot of singer biopics: all the way from the Buddy Holly Story to Coal Miner's Daughter. This one can't quite make it to Coal Miner, but it's light years ahead of Buddy. I read a review today that said that Joaquin was too short and Reese was too pretty to play Johnny and June. The reviewer was right, but what the hell does that have to do with great acting. They got it right and this old hillbilly cried, that's right--cried--at every historical landmark they hit. Oscars for Joaquin and Reese--that's all I want.

woody pulps

Walk The Line update 03/19/2006.

A retraction is in order. Not only have I come to realize this movie beats all the singer biopics, in my opinion, it beats all biopics and, indeed, has become my favorite movie...period. Read Jack Shaw's comment below. It's worth your time.(I did exactly what you asked and resisted a comment on a comment, but I gave in even though I tried).

Oh, and by the way, if Dan John Miller wasn't channeling Luther on the guitar, there is no such thing.

Great lines from the movie:

June Carter...June Carter...when will you be mine? (sing it to the tune of Hey, Porter).

June: I surmise you haven't been to bed. An intoxicated Johnny: surmiiiiiise....

Luther Perkins: It's in A....A (nods 'yes' to Marshall Grant).

June: I got tangled!

woody pulps