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Walk The Line (Limited Edition DVD, CD & Book Gift Set) [2005] (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment - 2007-10-29) 2 Discs (124 minutes) Region: 2 - Suitable for 12 years and over Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Patrick, Ginnifer Goodwin, Sandra Ellis-Lafferty. Walk The Line (Limited Edition DVD, CD & Book Gift Set) [2005]: Charting the life stories of both legendary musician Johnny Cash and singer June Carter, Walk The Line has proven to be among the most popular music biopics of all time. And with good reason. Spearheaded by two superb performances, the film’s main focus is on Cash himself, from his childhood, early successes, eventual troubles through to the legendary concert at Folsom Prison. His journey also takes in drug problems, the tragedy that haunted him and bumpy relationships with the women in his life. Throughout, of course, there’s Cash’s enviable body of musical work, which not only helps provide markers for his story, but makes for an excellent soundtrack to the movie as a whole. As a film, Walk The Line is resolutely formulaic, with a structure that’ll be familiar to anyone who regularly watches biopics of this ilk. What really helps this one stand tall though are Joaquin Pheonix and Reese Witherspoon. Pheonix is utterly compelling in the lead role, while Witherspoon returns to the form she displayed back in the days of Election. James Mangold’s direction is fine and uncluttered, and while his film clearly chooses which elements of Cash’s life to focus on (there’s certainly far more to know than you get in the two and a quarter hours here), it works extremely well as an entry point into the life story of a great musician. Even the casual viewer will get a lot from Walk The Line, and it may even compel them to expand their CD collection off the back of it --Simon Brew Customer Reviews (Average 4.5 from 107) : A Pleasant Surprise Rating:5 This film had the potential for disaster: tackling the life of someone as legendary as Johnny Cash was never going to be an easy challenge. Instead, director James Mangold has created a masterpiece, depicting both the highs and the lows of Cash's life beginning with his troubled childhood that continues to influence his path through life. Mangold weaves musical numbers throughout which, rather than hindering the flow of the film, enhance the narrative and provides additional emotional portrayals. The casting of two 'big-name' actors could also prove risky, but here the performance of Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix compliment each other. The on-screen chemistry between the two adds another dimension to the relationship between Cash (Phoenix) and Carter (Witherspoon), making the characters appear more than just portrayals on a screen. Joaquin Phoenix masters the character of Cash to the extent that you find yourself believing he is the man himself....slightly ironic since part of Cash's legendary appeal as his uinqueness. Nobody else sounded or looked like him! For once though, Phoenix's performance is overshadowed by an oscar-winning Reese Witherspoon. Her portrayal of June Carter is both energetic and charismatic, but also full of emotion and magic. At times you would be forgiven for thinking that this was a film about June Carter, with the character of Johnny Cash providing a supporting role. This is a film not to be missed and thoroughly deserves both the 5 Oscar nominations (including 1win) and all the stars given by other reviewers. And don't forget about the soundtrack too! After hearing some of the tracks you, like me, will see Reese Witherspoon in another light. One of My Best Loved Films! Rating:5 This film will make you laugh and cry and you will find yourself wanting to watch it over and over again...just like the Mr Cash and his songs would. Walk The Line DVD Rating:5 This DVD is a welcome addition to our ever expanding collection. It tells the story of Johnny Cash from his childhood right through to him becoming a household name, with lots of twists and turns in between. Phoenix and Witherspoon are wonderfully cast as Cash and Carter and the soundtracks are executed brilliantly by both. I'm not a Country & Western fanatic, but the story is biographical and very interesting. Our 16yr old daughter loves this movie (which probably isn't cool!) and this DVD has been lent out to numerous neighbours, friends and family members - all whom have enjoyed it immensely. If you have failed to catch this movie for one reason or another, or like me gave it a miss because I am not interested in Country & Western, do yourself a favour and settle down on the settee with family or friends and be prepared to have an enjoyable and educational couple of hours. Great Rating:5 This was a present for my husband and arrived very quickly and in good condition. My husband has watched it twice already and very happy with the DVD. Must watch Rating:5 The music in this film is excellent. Always been a fan of both Cash and Carter. Never knew he had such a hard life. He did so well with no encouragement from family or friends. Now i not only like the mans music, I admire and respect him. |
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