Walk the Line

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1:49

Walk the Line

PG-13

2005

2h 16m

Biography

History

Drama

Music

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

204 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

The rise of country music legend Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) begins with his days as a boy growing up on the family farm, where he struggles under the scorn of his father (Robert Patrick). As the years pass, Cash ends up in Memphis, Tenn., with his wife, Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin), and breaks into the music scene after finding his trademark sound. While on tour, Cash meets the love of his life, singer June Carter (Reese Witherspoon), but Cash's volatile lifestyle threatens to keep them apart.

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Critics Consensus

Superior acting and authentic crooning capture the emotional subtleties of the legend of Johnny Cash with a freshness that is a pleasure to watch.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Jul 28, 2022

Johnny Cash gets the biopic treatment in this superior portrait of the man, his music, the demons he battled and the love that saved him.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

Jan 10, 2019

3/4

The film boasts of extremely competent performances, particularly the extraordinary Phoenix. As for Witherspoon, with her nasal twang and perky persona, she is sweet and sassy...

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Zadie Smith

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jan 16, 2018

Walk the Line -- although conspicuously well acted -- is really no different from previous efforts, and that's a good thing. It shares the charm of the (musical biopic) genre.

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Nadia Dalimonte

Next Best Picture

Dec 13, 2024

7/10

“Walk the Line” may not be reinventing the wheel, but the film holds up incredibly well in the unique talents of remarkable performers who maintain Mangold’s vision.

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Jul 9, 2020

This is not a malicious or embarrassing work; the viewer simply feels that Mangold has not genuinely tackled a single one of the complex and potentially rich problems bound up with the lives of Cash and Carter.

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Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

Feb 28, 2019

9/10

I love this movie so much.

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Danielle A

@dramatize8782 1 day ago

Good movie

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Fifty T

@RT01421419 3 days ago

I found this a strong, engaging biopic that does justice to the legend of Johnny Cash while keeping even casual viewers like me hooked. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon deliver top-tier performances, embodying Cash and June Carter with raw authenticity - both in their acting and their musical performances. The music is a standout, adding depth and emotion to a story that's as much about redemption as it is about fame. That said, the film occasionally falls into the biopic formula trap. The pacing drags a bit in the middle, and while it covers the highs and lows of Cash's life, it sometimes feels like it's skimming the surface rather than diving deep into the complexities of his struggles or his artistry. Still, it's a 7.5/10: a well-crafted, entertaining, and informative watch that's elevated by its leads and its soundtrack.

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malachai M

@Malmurphy Aug 6, 2026

joaquin and reese did so great during this film, its even better when they actually sing it

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Jeremy W.

@reliablecritic Jun 11, 2026

WORTH WATCH! I Love Reese Witherspoon and this movie is one of my favorites. I’ve watched more than a few times and they delivered 100%. 🙌🏻

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Christina D.

@NinaNinaBobina May 21, 2026

Great chemistry between Phoenix and Witherspoon. Great music, great acting, and great charisma!

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke May 3, 2026

Excellent, with lots of great music. They didn’t skimp on the songs. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were terrific together, and it was surprising how well they handled the singing. They’re good! The sound editing made the transitions into the songs feel seamless and fun.

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James Mangold

Director

Joaquin Phoenix

Johnny Cash

Reese Witherspoon

June Carter

Ginnifer Goodwin

Vivian Cash

Robert Patrick

Ray Cash

Dallas Roberts

Sam Phillips

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Walk the Line: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The rise of country music legend Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) begins with his days as a boy growing up on the family farm, where he struggles under the scorn of his father (Robert Patrick). As the years pass, Cash ends up in Memphis, Tenn., with his wife, Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin), and breaks into the music scene after finding his trademark sound. While on tour, Cash meets the love of his life, singer June Carter (Reese Witherspoon), but Cash's volatile lifestyle threatens to keep them apart.

Director: James Mangold
Producer: Cathy Konrad, James Keach
Screenwriter: James Mangold, Gill Dennis
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Konrad Pictures, Catfish Productions, Fox 2000 Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language|Depiction of Drug Dependency|Thematic Material)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama, Music, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $119.5M
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Surround

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