Walk the Line - Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon

The movie chronicles Johnny Cash's life, briefly touching on his childhood, including the tragic death of his brother, through his time in the Air Force in Germany, and then to his rise to fame, starting at Sun Records in Memphis, falling in love with June, to just before his marriage to her.

I recently saw this movie in a hotel on pay-per-view, and was mesmerized by the story, and the performances. When I got the chance to review the DVD, I jumped at it.

While I enjoyed country music in my teens, I was more into pop music, so I didn't grow up with Johnny Cash. I never saw him perform live, and sadly, after he passed, and I listened to more of his projects we reviewed for the site, I realized just how much wonderful music I had missed, and wished that I had been able to see him live.

While I knew some about Johnny's life, I knew next to nothing about June Carter, other than her as Johnny's wife, and part of the Carter Family. I was really taken by her, as portrayed by Reese Witherspoon. Being from such a famous country music family, June never considered herself much of a singer, so she learned comedy, so she'd have something to give.

It was hard watching Johnny's drug-filled days, and June's needed "tough love" attitude to him to make him straighten up, but as I watched the film I really could feel their love, and understand how hard it must have been for Johnny to go on living after June's death.

I think both Joaquin and Reese did a great job with the singing, and commend them on this. Their Golden Globe wins and Oscar nominations are well deserved. This is a picture that I will watch over and over and never get tired of.

If you have any interest in country music, or even if you don't, this is a wonderful love story. Go buy it. You won't be sorry.