This was a bit of a disappointment for me. I would say I’m a Johnny Cash fan but this film didn’t sit with my idea of him, in fact it didn’t say much at all. I didn’t get any real insight into him as a songwriter or as a person, and the story seemed told in a predictable biopic way. Joaquin Phoenix was good, but not really anything like Johnny Cash, Reese Witherspoon was excellent as June Carter but the script was abysmal and superficial and the direction was nothing special, almost made-for-TV style.

The music held my interest, what little there was of it, but didn’t capture the spirit of the originals. I kept thinking that if this had been what he sounded like, he wouldn’t have been famous at all.

1) too short a shrift given Johnny’s faith (Only 1 scene which ended up on the cutting room floor of Johnny at the funeral for his brother Jack). Johnny has given credit to his faith as sustaining him countless times if you’ve read his autobiography.
2) Makes it seem as though Johnny “peaked” with Folsom Prison..never again hitting those heights. The reality is he made another string of classics at an age when most artists are has-beens with Rick Rubin.
3) They didn’t reference the famous “finger” incident?

Just too much missing for me to call this great. I’m glad it didn’t win the Oscar.

I’m not surprised to see how I am not the only one that saw some comparison to the movie Ray. Both were very well done. I like movies like this because there is a whole upcoming generation that has no idea of the history of music. What an educational tool these films are. I was one of those educated as I know nothing about Johnny Cash.

The movie for the most part was well done. I thought the middle dragged a tad bit though. Phoenix gave a fantastic performance as did Reese Witherspoon who I was surpirsed to find actually sang the June Carter songs. This film made me think of how hard it must be to be on the road as a musical celeb and keep a normal life. Is it even possible? Especially for male singers. The temptation to remain faithful to the wife at home and also not to sucuumb to the pressures of the party atmosphere must be amazingly difficult.

This film left me wanting to know more about Johnny Cash which is a great way to know that this type of film has done it’s job.

It’s funny how movies come out in pairs it seems, this and “Ray” within about a year of each other. Both incredibly well done biopics of influential artists, but I digress.

I’m no fan of country music but I cared about the characters, I was intrigued by the portrayal of the times (especially with regards to how June was perceived as a harlet for having been divorced) and I was compelled to learn more afterwards.

Extremely enjoyable…dynamic, charismatic performance by Phoenix…solid acting by the rest of the cast…crisp, colorful cinematography…meaning-laden but unobtrusive soundtrack.

It’s a shame this film was marketed ineffectively and was overshadowed by other holiday releases.

I wasnt big Johnny Cash fan before, I mean I like his songs but I wasn’t a huge fan didn’t know anything of his childhood or his life behind teh singer basically.
I was quite reluctant to go as I am not one for long films especialy if they contain both reese witherspoon and Jaoquin Pheonix . This film made me change on all of them. I was drawn straight in it’s a great film and Joaqiun pheonix and reese where great especially there singing.

Highly recomended even for the not so big fans!

This is the Johnny Cash story from his childhood until after he married June Carter. I enjoyed the movie as did the other 4 adults I was with.

This was just a wholly excellent film. Joaquin Phoenix played his role SO well. Reese Witherspoon was wonderful as June Carter (and especially to see in a role NOT playing a vapid ditz). The story flowed nicely, the dialog natural, and the scenes beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Also, I think the hype about Cash’s first wife is a sham. She did not seem portrayed in an even remotely negative light. The film clearly shows that Cash treated her like crap. She was the victim.