I loved this film! It spoke to me on many levels, because it has so many shades and layers. On the surface, it is a fascinating biopic of Johnny Cash that offers genuine insight into the dark side of an icon (in a way the filtered, Hollywood blockbuster barely attempted to do).
That is just the first layer, however. The turbulent, codependent relationship between Johnny and his manager (and driving force) Saul Holiff is totally absorbing and central to the story; and the underlying dysfunction between these two men highlights a heartbreaking parallel portrait of Saul's strained and abusive relationships with his sons, especially Jonathan, the film's director. As tortured as he was by Johnny's indulgent and self-destructive behavior, and as much as he showered his client with time and attention, so did Saul torture and neglect his own family. By appearances a level-headed businessman with a charmed life and family; on the inside, Saul was controlling, abusive, alcoholic and self-destructive in his own right.
The film drew me in immediately with an unexpected bang: a dramatic reenactment of Saul's calculated and unexplained suicide. No, he did not leave a note, which led the director on an unintended journey to rediscover his estranged father. He found answers in a long-forgotten storage locker that housed a treasure trove of original Johnny Cash memorabilia, newspaper clippings, photos, gold albums, and written correspondence and never-heard audio recordings between Johnny and Saul. Interweaving reenactments with a wealth of found materials, archival footage and the original audio recordings, Jonathan allows the story to unfold through his own voice and the actual words of Johnny and Saul. I was particularly impressed with his attention to detail and unique production style choices, from his artistic use of stills and found materials, to shooting with actual film in trueness to the era.
True, the story is wrought with tragic undertones, but crafting this film was clearly a cathartic experience for the director, who through its making was able to come to terms with his father's complicated life and death, and ultimately break the cycle of dysfunction. This alone makes the film incredibly poignant and, ultimately, even uplifting.
That is just the first layer, however. The turbulent, codependent relationship between Johnny and his manager (and driving force) Saul Holiff is totally absorbing and central to the story; and the underlying dysfunction between these two men highlights a heartbreaking parallel portrait of Saul's strained and abusive relationships with his sons, especially Jonathan, the film's director. As tortured as he was by Johnny's indulgent and self-destructive behavior, and as much as he showered his client with time and attention, so did Saul torture and neglect his own family. By appearances a level-headed businessman with a charmed life and family; on the inside, Saul was controlling, abusive, alcoholic and self-destructive in his own right.
The film drew me in immediately with an unexpected bang: a dramatic reenactment of Saul's calculated and unexplained suicide. No, he did not leave a note, which led the director on an unintended journey to rediscover his estranged father. He found answers in a long-forgotten storage locker that housed a treasure trove of original Johnny Cash memorabilia, newspaper clippings, photos, gold albums, and written correspondence and never-heard audio recordings between Johnny and Saul. Interweaving reenactments with a wealth of found materials, archival footage and the original audio recordings, Jonathan allows the story to unfold through his own voice and the actual words of Johnny and Saul. I was particularly impressed with his attention to detail and unique production style choices, from his artistic use of stills and found materials, to shooting with actual film in trueness to the era.
True, the story is wrought with tragic undertones, but crafting this film was clearly a cathartic experience for the director, who through its making was able to come to terms with his father's complicated life and death, and ultimately break the cycle of dysfunction. This alone makes the film incredibly poignant and, ultimately, even uplifting.