Walk the Line (2005)

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

Director:

James Mangold

Writers:

Johnny Cash (book), Johnny Cash (book),

Stars:

Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin

Won 1 Oscar. Another 34 wins & 28 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joaquin Phoenix	...	John R. Cash
Reese Witherspoon	...	June Carter
Ginnifer Goodwin	...	Vivian Cash
Robert Patrick	...	Ray Cash
Dallas Roberts	...	Sam Phillips
Dan John Miller	...	Luther Perkins
Larry Bagby	...	Marshall Grant
Shelby Lynne	...	Carrie Cash
Tyler Hilton	...	Elvis Presley
Waylon Payne	...	Jerry Lee Lewis (as Waylon Malloy Payne)
Shooter Jennings	...	Waylon Jennings
Sandra Ellis Lafferty	...	Maybelle Carter
Dan Beene	...	Ezra Carter
Clay Steakley	...	W.S. 'Fluke' Holland
Johnathan Rice	...	Roy Orbison

Storyline

While growing up in the Great Depression era, Johnny Cash takes an interest in music and eventually moves out of his Arkansas town to join the air force in Germany. While there, he buys his first guitar and writes his own music, and proposes to Vivian. When they got married, they settled in Tennessee and with a daughter, he supported the family by being a salesman. He discovers a man who can pursue his dreams and ends up getting a record with the boys. Shortly after that, he was on a short tour, promoting his songs, and meets the already famous and beautiful June Carter. Then as they get on the long-term tours with June, the boys, and Jerry Lee Lewis, they have this unspoken relationship that grows. But when June leaves the tour because of his behavior, he was a drug addict. His marriage was also falling apart, and when he sees June years later at an awards show, he forces June to tour with them again, promising June to support her two kids and herself. While the tour goes on, the ...

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | prison | germany | concert | love | 

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Taglines:

Love is a burning thing.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some language, thematic material and depiction of drug dependency

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox [br] Twentieth Century Fox [us]

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

18 November 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Johnny & June - Pasión y locura

Filming Locations:

Arkansas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$149,345 (New Zealand) (10 March 2006)

Gross:

$119,518,352 (USA) (28 April 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Tree Line Films, Konrad Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min 153 min (extended cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the same year (2005) Robert Patrick played Johnny Cash's dad in this film as well as Elvis Presley's dad in the movie Elvis.

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Goofs

The "US" collar brass (in-the-circle) seen properly on the collar of the long-sleeve khaki shirt, was not worn on the left side of the overseas cap. Anyone doing so would have been out-of-uniform and subject to disciplinary measures.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Warden: M-Mr. Cash? M-Mr. Cash?

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Connections

Featured in 2011 MTV Movie Awards (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Rock 'N Roll Ruby"
Written by Johnny Cash (as John R. Cash)
Sung by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon

User Reviews

Johnny would be proud.

Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.

I've seen a lot of singer biopics: all the way from the Buddy Holly Story to Coal Miner's Daughter. This one can't quite make it to Coal Miner, but it's light years ahead of Buddy. I read a review today that said that Joaquin was too short and Reese was too pretty to play Johnny and June. The reviewer was right, but what the hell does that have to do with great acting. They got it right and this old hillbilly cried, that's right--cried--at every historical landmark they hit. Oscars for Joaquin and Reese--that's all I want.

woody pulps

Walk The Line update 03/19/2006.

A retraction is in order. Not only have I come to realize this movie beats all the singer biopics, in my opinion, it beats all biopics and, indeed, has become my favorite movie...period. Read Jack Shaw's comment below. It's worth your time.(I did exactly what you asked and resisted a comment on a comment, but I gave in even though I tried).

Oh, and by the way, if Dan John Miller wasn't channeling Luther on the guitar, there is no such thing.

Great lines from the movie:

June Carter...June Carter...when will you be mine? (sing it to the tune of Hey, Porter).

June: I surmise you haven't been to bed. An intoxicated Johnny: surmiiiiiise....

Luther Perkins: It's in A....A (nods 'yes' to Marshall Grant).

June: I got tangled!

woody pulps