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Movies / On DVD / Walk the Line
Walk the Line

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Walk the Line (2005)

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Reviews Counted:199

Fresh:163

Rotten:36

Average Rating:7.3/10

Consensus: Superior acting and authentic crooning capture the emotional subtleties of the legend of Johnny Cash and his inevitable downfall with a freshness that is a pleasure to watch.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for some language, thematic material and depiction of drug dependency.

Runtime: 2 hrs 33 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:03-02-2006

Synopsis: Primarily the story of the love that grew between country stars Johnny Cash and June Carter during the early years of Cash's career, WALK THE LINE is the result of intense collaboration between... Primarily the story of the love that grew between country stars Johnny Cash and June Carter during the early years of Cash's career, WALK THE LINE is the result of intense collaboration between director James Mangold, co-writer Gill Dennis, Johnny Cash, and June Carter Cash. Though both Cashes died in 2003, they oversaw the script's development for seven years. Mangold and Cash's insistence that the film's stars would actually sing paid off. Witherspoon's singing (as June) is lovely, and Phoenix's contains the raw energy and soul that defined Cash's sound. Even as a child on a cotton farm in Depression-era Arkansas, Cash shows a strong interest in music, escaping from his no-frills life and strict father (Robert Patrick) through hymns and listening to the radio. When his brother dies in a freak accident, young Johnny feels responsible, and worries that he will never live up to his brother's goodness. The film follows Cash through his first marriage with Vivian Cash (Ginnifer Goodwin) and into the early stages of his touring career alongside such musicians as Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and most importantly, June Carter. As Cash's success grows, so does his relationship with drugs, alcohol, and Carter, putting a strain upon his family life. From his initial audition with Sam Phillips of Sun Records on through his legendary 1968 concert at Folsom Prison, Cash is transformed from a hesitant singer riddled with demons to a man whose uniquely bold style would make music history. WALK THE LINE never attempts to paint a full picture of Cash's prolific career, but instead focuses on the passions that drove his music and on the woman who gave him strength. With magical performances by Witherspoon and Phoenix, a haunting and inspiring American romance is brought beautifully to life. [More]

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Tyler Hilton, Dallas Roberts, Shelby Lynn, Jonathan Rice, Dan Beene, Ridge Canipe, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Waylon Payne, Shooter Jennings

Director: James Mangold

Director: James Mangold
Screenwriter: Gill Dennis
Producer: James Keach, Kathy Conrad
Composer: T-Bone Burnett
Producer: Cathy Konrad
Studio: 20th Century Fox

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
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  • Walk the Line Trailer
    >
    "Times A Wastin'"
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    "You're A Liar"
    >
    "Cocaine Blues"
    >
  • "Ring Of Fire"
    >
    "We Always Listened To Your Songs"
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    "The World Has Changed"
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    "You Can't Walk The Line"
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  • "You Should Try Taking Credit For Something"
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    Johnny and June
    >
    The Cool of Cash
    >
1 - 4 of 11

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Reviews for Walk the Line

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
N/R

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Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
01/20/07
Philip French
Philip French
Observer [UK]
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sight and Sound | comment Comment
09/28/06
Sight and Sound
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
02/04/06
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
02/03/06
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
01/31/06
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
01/24/06
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Although the straightforward story feels virtually the same as every other musician of the period, it comes to life in two awards-worthy performances

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
10/30/05
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Reese Witherspoon is adorable throughout and there's genuine chemistry between her and Phoenix, particularly when they're on stage together.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/29/05
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Reverently reductive

Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment Comment
09/01/09
Fernando F. Croce
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
11/20/08
Brian Marder
Brian Marder
Hollywood.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: NPR.org | comment Comment
10/18/08
Bob Mondello
Bob Mondello
NPR.org

Walk the Line isn't as great a biopic as Ray, but it's still a fine tribute to the Man in Black and his muse.

Full Review Source: Washington Times | comment Comment
03/22/08
Christian Toto
Christian Toto
Washington Times

a very solid piece of filmmaking... but as a biopic it walks the line between conservative and bland.

Full Review Source: Eye for Film | comment Comment
08/16/07
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Eye for Film

A sturdily conventional biopic.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
07/24/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: NYC Film Critic | comment Comment
12/30/06
Ethan Alter
Ethan Alter
NYC Film Critic

Witherspoon delivers a full-bodied, note-perfect performance as sassy, no-nonsense June, and proves herself an able singer in the process.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
11/17/06
Carolyn Arends
Carolyn Arends
Christianity Today
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
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