Should you bother with Walk the Line on DVD? Assuming A LOT of you skipped it in general release I'll offer the following.
1. Reese Witherspoon did not deserve an Academy Award for her performance. That aside she was awfully compelling in her role as Cash's stand in savior June Carter. If you do get this film get it because of the performances, which are uniformly great in entirely unchallenging roles.
2. One reason not to get this DVD is that Johnny Cash led a more interesting life after he and June Carter married. And Jaquin Phoenix would be more amusing to watch in a large facial prosthetic.
3. If this movie were any more paint by the numbers it would come in a box- oh wait the SE does come in a little box. This two disc set also comes with some admittedly nifty extras. Disc 1 has Commentary by co-writer and director James Mangold, 10 Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by James Mangold
Trailers: Love Me Tender Special Edition and the Theatrical Trailer. Disc 2 offers
3 extended music sequences featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon: "Rock and Roll Baby," "Jackson" and "Cocaine Blues", "Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line," featuring interviews with Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crowe, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock and more. And 2 Featurettes "Folsom, Cash and the Comeback" and "Ring of Fire: The Passion of Johnny and June" There are also some interesting collectible postcards from the film.
4. Ray Charles made a more interesting mess to watch than Johnny Cash. If you watch Walk the Line you should also rewatch the video to Hurt.
5. Executives at Fox were only interested in making this film because Johnny's last name was Cash.
6. Lastly any movie that encourages me to stand in front of the mirror and do my inimitable Johnny Cash impression is okay by me.
1. Reese Witherspoon did earn her award.
2. Executives are only interested in making ANY movie because of Cash.
So wait a minute - while I hate to publicly take issue with a fellow Twitch reviewer's work, I have to say that this review leaves me with more questions than solid information. I haven't seen this film yet, but as a Cash fan, I've heard things about it that paint as both interesting-sounding, and hackish. The statement in point 2 regarding Cash's life following his marriage to June Carter seems to be hinting at the issues I suspect this film may be guilty of, but that statement in the review tells me nothing of substance.
Based on the overall tone of this review, it sounds like you really didn't like it, but then in the last sentence, you say it's okay by you (I think). Also, I'd love more info on the extras on this 2 disc edition, since it is substancially more expensive than the single disc version. Are the really worth the added expense? How are they "nifty"? Does this warrant a blind buy?
I agree that the video for "Hurt" is excellent, and probably better than any straight-ahead bio-pic could ever hope to be, ut I need to know if the bio-pic is really worthy of my time and money or not, and why. Word on this movie has been very mixed, so I was hoping for a little clarity here.
Reasoner would never want anyone to feel they misunderstood his intentions.
Walk the Line is far too cleaned up a version of Cash's life and relationship with June to really offer anything of depth as a biopic. It is well made but only to entertain. Viewers and especially fans won't likely learn anything new or gain additional insight into his life or career.
The extras don't accomplish this either although the musical numbers may be a tipping point for some as Phoenix and Witherspoon acquit themselves admirably on that account.
And Reese Witherspoon had half as difficult a job as almost any other nominee in her category except perhaps Keira Knightley. She certainly DID NOT earn the Award although she did well in a role that any almost competent actress could have brought to life.
Rest assured Witherspoon win will be the only reason anyone pays substantial attention to this flick down the road.
Also I stand by the assertion that Phoenix would be more interesting to watch in large facial prostethic- actually Reese Witherspoon might be as well.
Hope this clarifies.
I am 62 and grew up with Johnny Cash and June Carter before they met and then through their time together. I found the movie to be accurate and extremely well-cast; and, if you read his bio, you will see that it is based on Cash's bio. I saw this movie and DVD with my 25 year old son who is involved in all kinds of music, as I am. I disagree greatly with your review, which I accidentally came across today, and am forwarding your review to my son who will no doubt disagree also. We have both talked about in the past how this movie fits that type that makes for a great movie: you review it in your head for months afterwards and think about it.
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