The biopic has been overdone at this point. They’re generally fun movies, but they lack substance. I’ll get bored on the second or third watch. What I love about Walk the Line is that it’s one of the few biopics that doesn’t feel like you’re watching a biopic. It just feels like a really good story that also happens to be a love letter to Johnny and June Carter Cash. Unlike Bohemian Rhapsody, Walk the Line focuses more on the artist than the music, which is why it’s so interesting to me. Bohemian Rhapsody didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know. It just paired a mediocre, shallow story with a Queen soundtrack. Walk the Line, however was extremely focused on the story of Johnny Cash, and the excellent soundtrack only had a supporting role in the storyline. Speaking of the soundtrack, who knew Joaquin Phoenix could sing. It’s not easy to mimic Johnny Cash’s deep voice and drawl, but Phoenix executed it perfectly. I actually listen to the soundtrack from time to time, and like it even more than the original songs.
Whoever casted this movie did an excellent job. I would never have pictured Phoenix as Johnny Cash, but it works perfectly. Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash is also unexpected but weirdly works. Her and Phoenix’s completely contrasting personalities and styles make the turbulent relationship of Carter and Cash come to life. The entire supporting cast gave very believable and memorable performances as well. As one of the first biopics, Walk the Line should have been the example that other biopics would follow. Sadly, it didn’t work out like that. Now they just capitalize off extremely successful and nostalgic music by making poorly written, acted, and directed movies that will become culturally and artistically irrelevant in one to two years instead of making a heartfelt story about the artist(s). I don’t know if this is an unpopular opinion or not. I know many people enjoy the flashy movies with great music. Not everyone is looking for a movie with a deep story. But a strong storyline and character quality is what I value in a movie, and Walk the Line has both of those in abundance.
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When I think more about this movie, it might be that this is Joaquin Phoenix's breakout performance. This might be the most famous music biopic that I can think of... (Okay, The Doors with Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison might be more of a big deal, but Walk the Line is up there.)
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May Featured Movie QuoteBarry B. Benson: Yellow-black, yellow-black, yellow-black, yellow-black... Oh, black and yellow. Yeah, let's shake it up a little.
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