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Let me begin by saying that if Phoenix doesn't at least get an Oscar nod for his role in Walk the Line, it will be the film controversy of 2005. Phoenix absorbed the role of Johnny, not only learning to mimic Cash's mannerisms and movements, but also teaching himself to play guitar and sing almost identically to him -- not to mention Phoenix's brief stint in Alcoholics Anonymous because he had gotten "too into" the role.
By God, if that's not a true actor, I don't know what is.
Walk the Line focuses on the years of Cash's life from his early childhood in Arkansas to his eventual marriage to Carter. Witherspoon, as Carter, also deserves respect for her part in the film, nailing the role of the strong-willed and fiery woman whom Cash obsesses over for many years. As cliché as some of the scenes may seem between Phoenix and Witherspoon's characters, the chemistry between both actors is undeniable, and the incredible relationship between Cash and Carter is portrayed with touching perfection.
Director James Mangold (Girl, Interrupted) brings his unique character development that he's well known for to Cash's life. Mangold keeps all the elements of the musician's story intact, while bringing the audience into Cash's tortured psyche without exploiting him -- his addictions, his love life and his painful relationship with his father.
Phoenix, who aside from the scar on his lip, is a dead-ringer for Cash from beginning to end -- baritone voice, briskly picked acoustic and all. From "Ring of Fire" to "Folsom Prison Blues," Cash's music is strongly recreated by both Phoenix and Witherspoon (who also did her own singing) and should pull in a few new fans to the Cash genre of country.
Although Cash was widely known to be an "outlaw" in the world of country music, he never actually did any hard time. He lets the prisoners of Folsom Prison know it too, when he puts on a show for them -- which became one of the best selling albums of all time, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison.
Walk the Line is a front runner for the best movie of 2005 by a long shot.
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