Johnny Cash ‘Walks the Line’

James Mangold's box office hit "Walk the Line", a film about the life and struggles of singer Johnny Cash will be screened at 6 pm on October 30 at the American Centre, Galle Road, Colombo-3.

Played by academy awarded Joaquin Phoenix and Golden Globe nominee Reese Witherspoon as June Carter the film depicts Cash, who died in October 2003, as a significant and compelling figure in American music from the mid-1950s onward. Mangold's film treats Cash's life from 1944 to 1968, from the death of his brother to his marriage to June Carter and his victory over his addiction to amphetamines.

Even as a child on a cotton farm in depression-era Arkansas, Cash shows a strong interest in music, escaping from his no-frills life and strict father (Robert Patrick) through hymns and listening to the radio. When his brother dies in a freak accident, young Johnny feels responsible, and worries that he will never live up to his brother's goodness. The film follows Cash through his first marriage with Vivian Cash (Ginnifer Goodwin) and into the early stages of his touring career alongside such musicians as Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and most importantly, June Carter. As Cash's success grows, so does his relationship with drugs, alcohol, and Carter, putting a strain upon his family life.

From his initial audition with Sam Phillips of Sun Records on through his legendary 1968 concert at Folsom Prison, Cash is transformed from a hesitant singer riddled with demons to a man whose uniquely bold style would make music history. 'Walk the Line' (136 minutes) never attempts to paint a full picture of Cash's prolific career, but instead focuses on the passions that drove his music and on the woman who gave him strength. With magical performances by Witherspoon and Phoenix, a haunting and inspiring American romance is brought beautifully to life