Just like that awesome feeling of love, it all starts with a thrumming pulse which hides quietly in the background but gets louder and more insistent - that steady thump that remains no matter how hard we try to push it away. Even muffled behind the thick walls of a penitentiary, it's near irresistible and then we start to hear the distinctive driving freight-train chords of Johnny Cash playing in Folsom Prison.
Time we all walked that line...
Picking the magnetic Joaquin Phoenix to play the man in black was an inspired choice, showing us Cash's vulnerability, loneliness and his intense, overwhelming yearning for the lady that he loves but can't be with, June Carter, played by the award-winning Reese Witherspoon. The excellent performances of Phoenix and Witherspoon truly carry the show - and the conviction they bring to the special bond between the characters they play, the way a deep, meaningful friendship leads the way to a powerful, intense love that brings us into their burning ring of fire.
In this moving love story, it's hard not to sigh when Johnny watches June with his heart in his eyes. Even while he battles his addiction to stardom and drugs, the no-nonsense, tougher-than-she-looks June perseveres in loving her man through his wrenching emotional ups and downs. Looks like it ain't easy loving such a man but she done did good.
Swear I ain't never heard any songs of Johnny Cash which just amazes me seeing his obvious popularity. Not sure why it is but country music never made it all that big in my household. With all the recent talk of his biopic movie Walk the Line, I made a search amongst my friends and found only one guy who's even heard of his songs. Don't be surprised but my sole weight-lifting buddy, Big Bicep Barry, actually has a few songs from Johnny Cash on permanent replay in his CD rack.
Swear that man listens to hell everything!
24 comments:
I watched this a few nights ago. I agree...it was really really good. I was most impressed that these 2 sang with their own voices. TALENT!
Beautiful post Savante! Re-lived the experience of watching the movie reading it.
I'm amazed you've never heard any songs by Johnny Cash. Then again, maybe you have heard some without realising they were by him (that kinda thing happens to me a lot, heh).
Hmmm, Johnny Cash. Again, heard the name but not the songs. Eh, country doesn't play well here. No surprise.
Yeah, real country music has never been my thing. But, I do listen to some of form of it by artistes like Norah Jones.
I've always LOVE the perky Reese Witherspoon. As Simon Cowell used to say, I think she has a HIGH likeability factor. Haven't watched the movie yet but am planning to. :D
Obviously a different generation! :-)
I know, scotty. I couldn't believe that they actually sung the songs themselves!
Thanks, wild reeds. The movie was wonderful!
Never heard any of the songs amazingly enough! Seriously none. Was agog listening to the songs that everyone seems to know, ru. What bunnyban said :)
Reese was wonderful in the movie and surely deserved the award, ahmad.
I know :) Guess I was too young, Ian. Surprise surprise!
Paul
is that movie really nice? been hesitated to buy... tot of supporting reese witherspoon... anyway if u haven, please watch crash and v for vendetta... both are very nice too... now wait until i get my hands on transamerica...
Never saw the movie...should I? If you like Johnny Cash, and the story of his love affair with June Carter Cash, then I highly recommend a perusal into the world of George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
You'll be amazed.
And, I love the song Ring of Fire. There's something so sultry about it. You should play it in the bg next time BBB comes to visit.
That good eh?
Guess I'll go watch it or rent it the next time I'm out.
She done did good. You are becoming very southern :)
I haven't seen the movie but I did watch The Ellen Degeneres show and I learned that both Joaquin and Reese learned to sing for this movie. The soundtrack is them singing. I thought that was cool.
I havent had the chance to watch the movie.. Ill gonna rent it out! It deserves to win reese on that movie!
He is very pretty. You know I liked this movie a lot better than the phantom of the opera even though Gerald Butler was very pretty in it....
love the movie, love the soundtrack, love the actress...see how i didnt mention anything about joaquin? cause i dont like him ;)
Oh..i listen to lot of country song. Garth Brooks, Tim McGgraw, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley..n now im so into this song "Jesus Takes The Wheel' by none other than the lovely Carrie Underwood.
Jeez..does that make me st8?
Ugh I can-NOT stand biopics. Unless they do one on Hugh Jackman, of course, in which case I'd buy the DVD and use it as porn.
Jay..
how on earth you going to turn that DVD into a porn?
Johnny Cash rocks man.
Excuse me while i go get depressed.
is here the Oprah Winfrey's Movie club!!! he he he
rgds
shine
who is johnny cash?
what movie?
omg. am i in a tempurung kelapa all this while?
*sigh*
I heard the song "Walk the Line" for the first time last night at American Idol - however, Chris Daughtry gave his own spin to it so it's not the Johnny Cash swooning piece. But I like the lyrics - so much pining in there! Sigh...
Hey we're on the same "sucker-for-romance" boat! And of course I loved this film.
Quote from Reese that brings memories: "Baby Baby Baby".
I am 49, and Johnny Cash was in my Mother's generation and would be 74 were he still alive today. So, when I began listening to music, he was before my time. In 1969, when I really started paying attention to music, I knew who he was and liked some of his work, but preferred the anti Vietnam War songs of the time like those featured at the Woodstock Concert. I was invited, but at only 13, my Mom told me I was too young. Sigh. I know that many 'kids' in the US had not heard of Johnny until this movie came out. So, don't feel so bad if you are from outside the US and have never heard of him. See the movie and then you will know.
Same over here, chowhofun, waiting to get my hands on transamerica. Willa says it's great.
Love ring of Fire too, Brian! And btw, ouch, poor Tammy Wynette. No wonder she sings the sad songs.
She done did good, aj and n.armstrong.
They did sing great, didn't they... cr:)
Like Gerald Butler too, shigeki, but he shouldn't have attempted singing in the Phantom.
You're probably str8 :) Hey, why don't you like Joaquin, pakcik!
Not sure how Jay would turn the biopic into a porn movie but I'm sure he has his ways :)
Why depressed over Johnny Cash, kevin?
Thanks, shine. Wish I was as rich as Oprah though!
Good God, at least I recognised his name, musang :) Don't worry, as sue explained, it's not a cardinal sin.
mark, Chris Daughtry certainly rocked that stage!!
kissmymike, yeah, I recall that line but I like Joaquin's lines too - Baby, you've got me all revved up.
Paul
his overnight detox was a miracle. ok movie - good peformances - acting and singing. 'Times A-Wasting' is worth a view in itself
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