Walk the Ring of Fire

In general, I don't listen to a lot of country music but there are a few singers that I like: Johnny Cash is one of them.

I recently viewed the biopic/movie "Walk the Line" starring Joaquin Phoenix as Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter.

I do think that Reese Witherspoon did a great job as June Carter, and of the people nominated, I thought Witherspoon was the most deserving. I guess Witherspoon got tired of all those silly romantic comedies.

As to Joaquin Phoenix playing Johnny Cash, I have mixed feelings about that. Phoenix is a talented actor who I have enjoyed in many movies. He had the voice and mannerisms down but he just didn't have the Johnny Cash presence down. And this is petty, but Johnny Cash was 6'2" and Phoenix is 5'8". Johnny always seemed to tower over people, especially if you add in his deep voice. So, I can see why Phoenix, a talented actor, didn't win the academy award.

As to the movie, it was ok. It was the normal roller coaster ride of a singer suddenly becoming successful and famous and not being able to handle it, which resulted in drinking and drug abuse. I like Johnny Cash because of his singing and songs not because he was a saint or wasn't a saint.

If you like country music or are very interested in Johnny Cash, you may like this movie. Otherwise, you may not find it that interesting. It sounds strange, but perhaps if they had focused on June Carter instead of Johnny Cash, this might have been a better movie.