Walk the Line (PG-13, 2005)

common sense media says

Fascinating biopic, best for mature teens and up.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film includes frequent images of drug use and drunkenness, as Johnny Cash was a famously driven, unhappy man, as well as a brilliant artist. The film concerns his relationship with his wife June Carter, which involves both divorcing other spouses and tensions as she helps him fight his addictions. The film also features frequent cursing, drinking, and smoking, as well as fights between father and son. A boy is killed off-screen in a circle-saw accident. There is a brief sex scene and some adulterous behavior.

Positive messages: Father and son tensions, couples argue over money and moral principles.
Violence: A fatal accident occurs off-screen, leaving family members with bloody clothes; boy dies in hospital bed; some fist fighting and drunken behaviors.
Sex: A tasteful sex scene, some carousing by band members on the road.
Language: Some strong language (including f-word, and Johnny's father's use of the n-word).
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Smoking; Johnny is addicted to amphetamines and alcohol.

More on Walk the Line

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether or not they feel this is an accurate portrayal of the events in Cash's life. Are there biases involved in the storytelling? Does the movie further the myth of Johnny Cash or provide new insight into his character? From whose point of view is the story told?

What's the story?

What's the story?
WALK THE LINE tells the life story of Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) as he tries to please his disparaging father Ray (Robert Patrick), and finds solace in his passions for music and June (Reese Witherspoon). June and Johnny's legendary mutual devotion helps to make his equally infamous orneriness seem worthwhile. The film begins with Johnny's childhood trauma-that-becomes-life-crushing-guilt – the death of his older brother. Johnny joins the Air Force, and buys his first guitar while stationed in Germany in 1955. While in the Air Force, Johnny sees a newsreel about Folsom Prison, feels a kinship with the inmates, and writes "Folsom Prison Blues," the song with the dicey lyrics that convinces Sam Phillips (Dallas Roberts) to sign him. Johnny falls in love with fellow country singer June, but he's married to Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin), who resents his absence and addictions. As Johnny's fame grows, his marriage falls apart and he desperately tries to win June, who inspires him in his career and eventually agrees to marry him.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Fascinating and well-acted, WALK THE LINE's mythologizing of Johnny Cash is never very surprising (though Phoenix's performance is frequently remarkable). Predictably showcasing high and low points, this biopic wrestles the man's contradictions and passions into a typical, palatable shape. The dead brother story begs comparison to Ray Charles', as do the two films' structural similarities.

June's dedication to Johnny is admirable and profound, She supports her man in all circumstances, even when Johnny makes it hard to love him. It makes all the difference, as the film loves their glorious duets and returns repeatedly to her moral and emotional schooling. Throughout the film, June's gaze makes Johnny seem inspired and exceptional. It's a familiar story, the good woman who stands by her man. And it's tantalizing too, suggesting that another, perhaps less typical story might be found in June's life.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon
Genre: Drama
Run time: 136 minutes
Theatrical release: November 18, 2005
DVD release: February 28, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some language, thematic material and depiction of drug dependency.

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Moved to silence (almost)...
If movies ever made me cry, this one would have done it. At the end of the film, I sat with my mouth open. This is a beautiful love story of two people who support and defend one another through times most of us don't have to imagine. Aside from the "throw away" manner in which Johnny and Vivian's relationship was shown (absolutely no redeeming qualities were given to her), the movie shows the bad consequences of bad behavior and the good consequences of good behavior. That it's all true made it even more touching. Highly recommend.

 
Brings an era of music alive
This story of Johnny Cash's career and its impact on his health was well done. The story line, acting and directing were all excellent. The depiction of drug and alchohol abuse was realistic. It did not glamorize the use of drugs and alchohol. The consequences of abuse were graphic and devastating to all concerned. The movie provided an interesting view of a few of the key people involved in the 'birth of rock and roll.' I recommend it.

Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
A High-Quality Biopic...
...for adults and teens. No kids on this one, period. However, for mature audiences, WALK THE LINE is an intelligent, entertaining, and ultimately uplifting movie to watch and discuss. The movie tells of Johnny Cash, his rise to stardom, failed marriage, and romance with June Carter (Cash). Another major point in the film is Cash's addiction to drugs. He starts popping pills early on in the film and, for the remainder of the film (minus the last 15-20 minutes) you see the affects of his addiction. Cash's behavior while high and later withdrawal are portrayed quite graphically and startlingly in some parts of the movie. This is just furthered by the brilliant (and realistic) performance by Juaquin Phoenix. Cash keeps on taking the pills even after he knows their affects, and his illegal procurement of them leads to brief domestic violence with his wife (hence, the violence caution up top). However, after June convinces him to stop the drugs, the movie becomes uplifting and sends positive messages of redemption. Language consists of frequent mild language ("d**n", "h*ll", "a*s") and one use of "f**k". Cash has affairs with women on the road, but nothing is ever shown beyond clothed kissing. He and June sleep together once while he is still married, but nothing at all is shown (just them clothed under covers in the morning).

 
So good
The best movie ever made, so worth your money go see it now!!!!!!!

horselover326
teen, 18 years old
 
Great movie and well acted
This movie was very good. The acting was really good not only from Reese who won a very well deserved best actress award but also from her costard Jaqulin Pheonix (or however it is you spell his name). I thought it was kind of innapropriate though not because of the actual content but because of the message it sends. They made it seem like it wasn't a big deal for him to cheat on his wife with reese Witherspoon's charecter in the movie, making it seem almost sweet. Also they would have cute little flirting scenes in the movie between the two leads while he was still married. All in all good movie though.

alexd
teen, 16 years old
 
My Fav Movie
This movie is awesome. I mean even if you dont like country music or johnny cash you should still love it. The actors are great Resse Witherspoon who played june carter won actress of the year! i highly suggest this movie it shows you can make it to the top but there will be bumps along the way.

 
Great movie! I highly recommend it for older teens and up

kpavao
educator
 
Good music, could have been a great movie
There's a good story there -- about what it means to be a truly good person, and that we all have darkness in us. But I wish we would have seen more of June's side of things.

 
All-time favorite movie
I saw this movie, and thought of nothing else for the next two days, and ended up watching it again. The acting is perfect (I'm really resisting the urge to throw in my usual "Joaquin Phoenix was robbed!" speech about the Oscars), the story line is intriguing, and it gives an interesting insight to the music business of the '50s, and the birth of rock and roll. There's some language. I think two uses of "ass", a few mild curse words, and one f-word. Drug/alcohol abuse is VERY strong, and we see Johnny Cash going through withdrawals. Might be too disturbing for young kids. No sex scenes, although we do see Johnny, in one scene, go into June's hotel room with her, and we see them wake up together in the morning. They're both married, at the time. My 12-year-old sister has seen this a few times, and while it's a little too long for her, the content is fine, but I would recommend it for kids under 15, just because of the depicted drug dependency.

 
Mature content, but good biopic
Just a regular biopic of Johnny Cash plus his wife, both now resting in peace. In some parts, this may bore the younger teens and kids. You have to pay really good attention to the movie to understand it. A lot of partying behind the stage along with in taking of drugs. Reese does wonderfully in this movie as well as Joaquin. Good movie. Worth watching, I suppose

 
A Fantastic Movie!!
This was GREAT!!! It seriously deserves many Oscars!!! The acting was fantastic, and the music rocked! Now...down to business...SPOILER WARNING!! some language, including the f-word once. Implied affairs, and Johnny wakes up in bed with a girl once. His brother was killed in a saw accident, and it's pretty bloody, but nothing's really shown. Of course Cash takes drugs and drinks a lot, but it is all shown in a negative light, and he learns to overcome his addictions. All in all, I think most young teens can handle it. It was really an inspiring film!

CSM Screen ...
teen, 18 years old
 
Jonny!
is a great movie. my 13 year old loved it! all the language and drgs flew right over my 7 year olds head. is a great movie to watch with kids.

 
This is one of the Best movies i have seen in a while
This movie was a great movies for ages 14 and up. This movie lived up to its reviews, unlike THE NEW WORLD. See it, I think it will win for best picture of the year

 
A Moving Film
Johnny and June Carter Cash's lives were portrayed brilliantly. There were some moments of tension between Johnny and Vivian, but also between Johnny and June. The drug abuse was poortrayed tactfully, but should be approached with caution (the same applies with the salty language). Overall, I think this film is good for older junior high.

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