3 reviews

Great film, superb acting, compelling from beginning to end. Honest and unflinching. This may well be my film of the year for 2006, and I speak as someone who knew very little about the man before seeing the movie.

The Poet Laura-eate 8 Mar 2006

Really good movie, can recommend it... (Guess I'll go into a record shop and buy some second hand vinyls next week...)

Slartibartfast 26 Feb 2006

It is easy to see why this movie is predicted to do well at the Oscars. As a non-fan of Johnny Cash I was still drawn into the lives of the protagonists. The acting was utterly superb and faultless and both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were absolutely convincing as their characters. I was also astonished that they both sang all the songs and exceptionally well at that, adding yet another string to their respective artistic bows.

I felt absolutely no sympathy for "J Cash": he was a loser with a drug addiction and a cheat to his long suffering wife, and until redeemed by the love of June Carter (as played by Reese W) showed no attempt to clean himself up. The characterisation, however, was wonderful and the plot finely crafted, emotions beautifully played out. The period detail was really quite remarkable. It is a slow-paced movie, which allows for character development; an unusual way to film for most American movies today.

Given that I wasn't previously interested in the main character, it really was very moving, poignant and very convincing. A bitter-sweet film that kept me entertained all the way through (a real achievement nowadays!) A real cinematographic treat, the way movies used to be...Miss it at your own peril.

Pamplemousse 20 Feb 2006