Walk the Line (2005) - Review and/or viewer comments - Christian Spotlight on the Movies

Click here for Christian Answers home page

THE FEAR OF THE LORD— What is it? Is it important?
WISDOM— What is it and how can I become wiser?
PURITY— Why should I save sex for marriage?
DISEASE AND SUFFERING— Why is the world the way it is? Did God create it this way?
EFFECTIVE RESPONSES— How can I best respond to tough questions from unbelievers?

Latest movie reviews

Reviews of new videos

Today’s Prayer Focus

Adrien Brody, age —“The Brutalist,” “Predators,” “Splice,” “Hollywoodland,” “See all »

After Johnny Cash’s first hit, he meets June Carter and falls almost instantly in love with her, all while he has a loving wife waiting for him at home. For years June tries to resist Johnny Cash’s advances, knowing that she must do what is right. Eventually Johnny turns to drugs and women to fill the void that was once fill by God.

As time goes on Johnny’s wife Viviane sees his love increasing for June Carter, and her heart begins to ache, and Johnny does not make any qualms about hiding it, making things incredibly uncomfortable for June Carter, because of her denial of his advances. Regrettably, Johnny and June have an affair of which June feels horribly guilty about, so she distances herself from him, knowing that her desires for Johnny are wrong. This begins the battle of Johnny’s life, when he slumps into a horrible depression, and he falls deeper and deeper into drugs and alcohol.

Eventually this cost him his family and the person he once loved. Eventually, through June Carters forgiveness for things that occurred, Johnny comes back to the Lord and comes back to the understanding that his life is falling apart. He makes an amazing comeback with June by his side, supporting him all the way.

This movie was one of the most amazingly acted movies I have ever seen. I would venture to say that this is an “Actors” movie in every possible fashion. They bring life the struggles, pain, love and desires of both June Carter and Johnny Cash without a hitch. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon both deserve the Academy Award for their performances and both people use their own talents to represent the dynamic duo. Johnny Cash was on site while they were making this movie in the beginning and absolutely stunned by Joaquin Phoenix portrayal. Very similar to Jamie Foxx and Ray Charles.

One hour of the movie is spent dealing with popping pills, excessive drinking and dealing with Johnny Cash’s depression. I have to say after living with my brother who was famous, wealthy and a suffering and depressed addict. I have never seen a more realistic representation of a tortured soul as “Walk the Line” has shown. The fits of rage, self abuse, frustration with the habit and the desperate need to escape reality were vital and portrayal of Cash and were done with as much class and stamina as we can expect from a PG-13 movie. Sadly my brother’s life tragically ended a one year after trying to kick the habit. What this showed me was that being able to give up his addictions was probably his most incredible accomplishment. Like Monroe, Elvis and so many other, addictions usually take your life but God truly had a purpose for Johnny Cash’s life.

Those of you who are expecting the greatest vocals in the world will be sadly disappointed. Johnny Cash was not know for he’s amazing vibrato but the way he delivers the words, with crisp and clear tones delivered with conviction. Joaquin’s voice was just amazing for not having experience in the music industry, as was Reese Witherspoon.

Something that I found remarkable in the portrayal of Johnny’s life, was the fact that they did not glorify, justify or even hint that the relationship between June and Johnny was right or correct, while he was married. Instead they portrayed this part of his life as wrong and inappropriate. Just the way Johnny Cash felt in real life, while he wrote his autobiography. The other day one of Johnny Cash’s kids walked out of the prescreening because she was offended how they portrayed her mother, however if she would have waited a few moments later, Viviane was really a hero and someone who loved her husband. A woman who wanted a husband and a father which Johnny was clearly not at that time.

Many of you may not be happy about the fact that they did not go deep into Johnny Cash’s belief in Jesus Christ. While they did not dive into that part of his life, they definitely showed his roots and that he never wavered in that aspect. The movie really was about the first part of his life and he really rededicated himself later in life with the help of his wife June Carter Cash and her family.

The end of the movie wraps up with him forgiving his father and in a place where he is truly blessed.

WARNING TO PARENTS: There is 1 F-word in the movie and only a few other bad words. There is NO sex or nudity at all, and the movie is fine for teens. I would say with some of the subject matter that it would not be the best fit for kids, however understand that the subject matter is very tactfully done. This was not a movie that glorifies sin but the contrary. …

My Ratings: Offensive / 5
John Kehrli, age 31

Positive—Johnny Cash, a man who has touched millions through a simple thing as a guitar and his unmistakable voice. This movie serves as a biography of the man behind the music, and it will touch your heart. Cash’s tale is a gritty one, as he has to battle drug addiction, divorce, issues with his father thinking he wasn’t good enough for him and other things. I can identify a good deal with how his personality was, and this movie served as a realistic and overall uplifting portrayal of an American music legend. I will do what I can now to seek out his albums, because I feel I have missed out on something truly special. I felt that his faith could have been talked about more directly, however, it was very tastefully done, and his courting of June Carter was quite fun to watch, especially for the romantic ending. I highly recommend this movie for teenagers on up.
My Ratings: Good / 5

Ben Webb, age 22

Positive—This is an amazingly well-made biopic about Johnny Cash and June Carter. I knew a little about his life. I remember seeing him and June Carter on a variety of talkshows way back in the 60s and 70s. The lead actors are superb, especially Reese Witherspoon, who totally captures the essence of June Carter. Yes, one does see Johnny Cash as a drunk and a drug addict, but we also see June Carter as the woman of God who helps him overcome these addictions—and his abiding love for her. It is very clear from the storyline that Johnny Cash’s childhood was not happy and was a factor in his self-destructive lifestyle. It is not easy to summarize a life, and in this case, two lives, as they interweave. The movie accomplishes its goal well. Highly recommended, despite the depiction of the sins of these complicated, talented people. In the end, they are redeemed, thank God.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 4½

Halyna Barannik, age 59

Positive—Appeared to be an accurate portrayal of their life together. The movie did NOT glorify drug or alcohol usage and shows the harmful effects on the health of the person and the family. Since the movie ended soon after their marriage, their commitment to Christ and gospel music was not seen. A very encouraging example of how a committed wife can help her husband succeed. Personally, I would not take anyone under 15 years due to language and some sexual inferences.
My Ratings: Average / 4½

Sharon, age 43

Positive—…I think “Walk the Line” is going to be this year’s big Oscar winner. Joaquin Phoenix (Johnny Cash) gives an incredible performance as a man focusing his energies into his passion which is music, while dealing with the demons of his past and present that come into his life. Reese Witherspoon (June Carter) manages to shine as well, as she borders on leaving Johnny altogether to wallow in his own misery to sticking by him as a true friend/companion that eventually brings him out of his drug dependency lifestyle and finding out that they really were meant for each other all along.

The actors used their own voices in the film and it makes it more entertaining knowing they went the extra mile to give the film a sense of realism, this feat was not easy, as to my knowledge neither actor has had any musical/singing background before they started this project. Language is kept on the light side, and there are issues dealing with drug dependency, but this is essential in telling the story. All in all a great film that will entertain most mature teens and adults alike. You don’t have to be a fan of country music or Johnny Cash to appreciate this film. Go and see it, I think you’ll be glad you did!
My Ratings: Better than Average / 5

Tom Becker, age 37

Positive—Incredible movie, and a definite must see. It does have a bit of bad language, but only like 5 words. It is a very true to life movie about Cash and does include some of his Christian upbringing and portrays it in a very positive way. You can;t go wrong with this movie.
My Ratings: Good / 5

JR, age 23

Positive—My husband and I saw this movie even though Johnny Cash was before our generation, and we really weren’t that familiar with his background. We absolutely LOVED IT! Joaquin and Reese do their best work in this movie. Obviously, it deals with real life struggles such as drugs and infidelity, so I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone under 13, but it’s very engaging. You won’t want it to end.
My Ratings: Average / 4½

Rachelle Smotherman, age 32

Positive—…More than any other major film this year, this story has a gospel message. (Spoilers follow in this paragraph and the next.) When Johnny Cash is at one of the lowest points of his life, June Carter tells him that God has given him a second chance, and shortly thereafter they are seen going to church, where June makes clear to him that he is welcome despite everything he has done. …And while the film starts shortly before the two get married, the epilogue states that they were married for more than three decades, certainly a contrast from the instability he had prior to turning his life around. June clearly was doing what good Christians do, caring for someone and showing him the way.

Yes, this film does portray adultery, drug abuse and foul language. But none of them are shown as being desirable or worth emulating. I must say I was incredibly how impressed the two lead actors did their roles. It’s one thing to play a historical character, it’s quite another to play people anyone seeing this film will be familiar with. They both pulled it off quite well, even the music.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 4½

Eric, age 52

Positive—I struggled with the moral rating, but decided on good. My Lovely Bride and I are conservative Christians who know the Bible as literally and figuratively the bedrock of our lives. And when we heard that “Walk the Line” had sexual references and vulgar language in addition to the drug usage, we had some reservations. But the movie was well worth the money and the time. The drug and alcohol use in the movie were in no way glorifying that lifestyle and clearly led to a moral decay that Johnny and his family couldn’t escape. The sexual references were not crude, nor were they sugar-coated. They reflected the horrible betrayal that Johnny inflicted on his first wife and the movie showed the emotional pain visited upon all of them, including him.

I didn’t expect a Hollywood movie to actually endorse a Christian lifestyle, and this one does shy away from it. So I can’t give it an Excellent moral rating. But it was good. I will let my son see it when he is on the edge of becoming an adult, as an object lesson in what happens when one of us turns from God toward sin in any of these forms. Finally, as many others have mentioned, the acting was superb. I am not a fan of Phoenix or Witherspoon. But they captured the essence of Johnny and June. My wife thought their voices were accurate as well, though I disagreed on his. While Phoenix definitely has good pipes, he never convinced me I was listening to Johnny. But that is probably unfair, because that is one voice that I have never heard duplicated.
My Ratings: Good / 4½

Alan, age 37

Positive—I had often wondered why Johnny Cash sang some of the songs he sang, so the movie certainly helped explain his boy to man story in detail from about 1944-1968. The acting was good all the way through, and the atmosphere was memorably powerful within the first minute. Cash thumbs a menacing circular saw-blade in Folsom Prison and as the inmates pound their feet in anticipation of the Man In Black, we’re taken back fascinatingly to his early days on a laborious cotton farm in Arkansas. There were aspects of June and John’s lives that I never knew.

I was interested in the choice of songs and why the movie suddenly ended after two hours of tension and heartbreak during a hoped for final happy moment. After all, we sweated with John during his drug dependency, and we yearned with June over her inner turmoil and divided loyalties, and then the story was done. I would have liked to have seen more of the Carter family influence and what happened inside the church Johnny and June were seen approaching after he had gone “cold turkey” with her help and with her parents “riding shotgun.” One more triumphant song would have been perfect, but it was a good experience and I want to see it again.

I WILL buy it when it goes DVD with extra scenes, and want my kids to see it when they reach teen age! One “f” word late on, no nudity, implied sex during adulterous behavior, heavy drinking. Good flick, with a message!
My Ratings: Better than Average / 4

Chris Marsden, age 50

Positive—I enjoyed this movie, but wish that they had showed more of Cash’s life after he and June were married. I also wonder if Cash was a Christian while having the affair with Carter, or it he became a Christian later.
My Ratings: Good / 5

Bill Boylston, age 46

Positive—I have heard so much about this film, and being a bit of a fan of Johnny Cash and June Carter… I was looking forward to seeing it. You know how something is built up too much for you and then when you finally see it… it doesn’t live up to your expectations? Well, that sort of happened to me with this movie. I was a little disappointed. This movie is being advertised on a local Christian radio station here. (Perhaps because I live in TN where the Cashes were from), and I was expecting more about their spirituality. There is one very short scene where she is taking him to a church service, and it shows them walking toward the church and hymn singing is in the background. That is about it except for one time she mentions God and you hear them talk about Jesus a little at the beginning. This movie isn’t really about that.

The story actually ends with John and June getting engaged, so perhaps the spiritual growth parts of their lives probably came after that… but I was always under the impression that she led him to the Lord, or back to the Lord. This film does show her influence, but it really looks like SHE was his salvation, and not the Lord. It is based on his book, and they did approve the script, so I guess that means it is pretty acurate.

What this story is really about is how they met and fell in love and it is not a good story in the sense that he was married at the time and they clearly did some wrong things… making the road to their union a very rocky one that messed up many lives along the way. And yes… this is yet another movie about a celebrity who got messed up with drugs and booze and sex before getting his life in order. We’ve seen it in films about Elvis, Ray Charles, Judy Garland… and even Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter, which is still probably the best one in this genre. So what makes this movie worth seeing? Easy. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. They are both very good actors…
My Ratings: Average / 4

Warren Sager, age 48

Positive—This was a fine film. Missing from the reviews so far is the film’s brief but stinging indictment of the church-going Christians who lashed and turned their backs on Johnny Cash and June Carter. June faces the pious contempt from one such “Christian” in a supermarket. We later see this woman sitting comfortably in a church pew, still oblivious to Christ’s message of forgiveness. Johnny Cash’s father is similarly portrayed as a God-fearing church-goer who never stops blaming John for the accidental death of his first-born child. I think we all know members of our congregations who are similarly quick to render judgment and slow to offer compassion.

Johnny Cash, throughout his life, identified with, and felt more comfortable in the company of, prisoners and “sinners.” This was the case before and after his “redemption” through June’s love. Not mentioned in earlier reviews here is salvation Cash achieved through divorcing his first wife. Clearly the young Johnny and Vivian did not marry well and all suffered for it. We all make mistakes. Some choose the wrong spouse. Some choose to soothe their psychic wounds by abusing drugs and alcohol. Some break the law. All deserve our respect and compassion. This for me is the message of “Walk the Line.”
My Ratings: Better than Average / 4

Thomas Ormond, age 33

Positive—This movie is amazing. Despite the PG-13 rating, which is not fitting for the movie, this one carries complete Christian values. I took my 17 year old, 15 year old, 12 year old, 9 year old, 4 year old twins, and 2 year old to this movie. They learned so much about God in the movie and the right ways to behave. I am glad I took my kids. It is worth the money. I would have paid 20 dollars to see this and for each of my kids, 20 dollars per person, to see this! This promotes religious values. A MUST SEE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN GOD!!
My Ratings: Excellent! / 5

Taylo, age 38

Comments from young people

Positive—This was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Finally, I felt comfortable in a theater and could enjoy the entire movie. “Walk the Line” is not apologetic about the bad turns and choices in Johnny Cash’s life. It shows that sin DOES have consequences. The story was great and made me more interested in the music and his life. I wanted to know more about his faith and what he believed in; they didn’t delve deeper into that in the movie, but after all this is a Hollywood movie. I was plain surprised to see the main characters attending church in one scene!

As for the quality of the movie, it is excellent. You really feel like you are sent back in time to observe the musician’s life. The film moves through the thirties to the sixties, without missing a step. The music is fantastic of course. There are three or four instances of swearing, but no where near what appears in regular movies today. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone with an interest in music or who likes historical movies.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 5

Sara H., age 19

Positive—LOVED IT!!! Superb performances by EVERY SINGLE actor and actress!!! Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Waylon Payne, Tyler Hilton and Jonathan Rice were all fantastic! The costumes and sets of the ’50s and 60s were excellent! Absolutely outstanding—everyone should have won an Oscar. A lot of Christian critics condemn the fact that this movie doesn’t show enough of God’s work in Johnny Cash’s life—God is ALWAYS working in everyone’s lives, albeit the movie does not actually point that out, but June does when she says “God has given you a second chance to make things right.” I found it extremely interesting to see what Johnny Cash (as we all know became a good, Christian man) went through to get to the stage when he came back to God. All the hardships, ups and downs, hurt and pain, and the way God worked in his life to turn it around. We all know that Johnny was going to fall, and hard, but before any of that happened, God had planted the Carter’s in Johnny’s life, that they would help him when the time comes around. I think EVRYTHING in this movie was a very clear message of God’s work.

We all go through hard times, and we question our faith and sometimes even stray a little, bad things happen and we feel like we’re falling and there’s no hope, but everything in your life has a purpose, the bad things and the mistakes leave you needing something, that something is Jesus in your heart and God watching over you.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 5

Maria-Antoinette, age 19

Positive—“Walk the Line” portrays the beginnings of Johnny Cash’s life and his road to fame (or infamy—however you view it) Admittedly, there are a few instances of profanity and suggestive situations, but one must remember that this is an accurate image of the effects of drugs and alcohol. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CHILDREN TO THIS MOVIE—In my opinion, no one under 15 should see this film. Drugs and alcohol play a major role. While these are shown to have a detrimental effect on Johnny’s life, this content may not be appropriate for the younger audiences. “Walk the Line” does show Christianity in a positive light—a very refreshing change from the secular norm.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 5

Michael, age 17

Positive—Very good movie! Some profanities and sexual suggestions, but Joaquin Phoenix does an excellent job at portraying Johnny Cash, as does Reese Witherspoon as June Carter. It is all based pretty true to the life of Johnny Cash. It was pretty sad seeing the character depend on drugs as much as he did. I would recommend it to most everyone. Great movie!!
My Ratings: Average / 5

Meagan, age 15

Positive—WOW! I loved this movie. It portrayed Johnny Cash’s life perfectly! Drugs were a major part of this movie, but in order for the movie to be true it had to be in there. It definitely showed Christianity in a positive light via June’s outlook on Cash’s life.

The acting/singing in this movie were absolutely amazing! Whenever I hear Phoenix say “hello I’m Johnny Cash” it gives me tingles! I would not recommend this to anyone under 13 or 14; it is a serious movie that kids under that age would not appreciate. There is some innuendo as well as swearing.

I am definitely going to see this movie again and maybe buy it when it comes out! Excellent movie, you don’t want to miss it!
My Ratings: Offensive / 5

Brittany, age 17

Negative—“Walk The Line” was a depressing movie. The acting was great, but the story was uninspiring, mostly since there was a lot of drugs and drinking. The movie made unfaithful spouses not seem like a big deal.
My Ratings: Average / 3

Maggie, age 15

Positive—…I love this movie! I think that it definitely deserved to have so many Oscar nominations. So, basically, this is one of my favorite movies!
My Ratings: Average / 5

Bree, age 13

Negative—This movie was so terrible I don’t know where to start! This is the first movie I’ve seen that I won’t be willing to see “just once more” and see if I like it better when I know what to expect; I’ll regret seeing it even once for the rest of my life. From the beginning I wanted to walk out. The movie is full of language and violence, and there is one sex scene, however, it doesn’t show anything very explicit. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it for kids, and probably a lot of teens would be better off not seeing it.
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 4

Linda, age 14

Positive—This was a very good movie based on the life of Johnny Cash. Yes, it had language, references to drugs and alcohol, and implied “scenes,” but if you watch it with TV Guardian (which cuts out language) then I would definitely recommend this movie to you. Since this movie was based on his life, and they didn’t add those things in for Hollywood’s sake, this is a good movie to see. They couldn’t cut those things out of the movie, because then they would be cutting out his life. That was who he was. Johnny and June Carter Cash became Christians after Johnny turned his life around and they were amazing Christians to their death. The movie doesn’t focus on their Christian life but they do lead up to it. “They ended the movie right before his life really began” is what my sister said. Because the movie ends right before he becomes a Christian. Other than the things in Cash’s life, which were displayed on the movie, this movie was amazing and gets you hooked on Johnny and June Carter Cash and their music. I definitely recommend this movie.
My Ratings: Average / 4

Emily, age 16

Positive—“Walk The Line” is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. You’ll want to watch it again and again. And if you’re a Johnny Cash fan, you can’t not see it. Sure, it has questionable moments. Drugs, drinking, affairs, etc. But you have to understand that this is a biography about his life. It’s not a good movie that Hollywood turned bad by sticking all that stuff in it. He struggled with that stuff. And, I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to see a movie about someone that’s full of false information. Or that they cover up to make the person not look so bad. Besides moral issues: The acting was incredible. The costumes were great. Everything was just wonderful. I especially enjoyed the scenes when they’re singing. The songs are so catchy, I had to go out and buy the soundtrack. Bottom line: see it.
My Ratings: Good / 5

Krystal, age 16

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in Christian Spotlight reviews are those of the reviewers themselves, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Christian Answers.

Other recommended parts of our site