'Walk the Line' Extended Cut

By: Jack Hunt 2.28.2009

The Movie Itself:
Life itself in a way is comparable to fame. ‘Life can be... beautiful’. Sometimes fleeting in its attempts, there’s never an easy road. For some it takes hard work, others are born into fame, and there are even some I believe that are famous for a reason. Johnny Cash is one of the few who are famous for a reason. With drive and pure talent he was able to succeed. Not to say it was easy, anything that’s worth something rarely is. Addiction, depression and lust all visited Cash along his road to fame, but with his adoring love by his side he overcame it all and became a Legend. This is the story of the one and only: ‘The Man in Black’.

‘Walk the Line’ follows the life and career of Johnny Cash, based off both Cash books ‘Man in Black’ and his self titled ‘Cash: The Autobiography’. From a young age we find him struggling to cope with the tragic death of his brother and later in life, his battle with addiction. Demons seem to haunt Cash, probably a direct result from his uncomfortable and abusive relationship with his father who often blamed Cash for the death of his brother. Many who choose to raise children this way fail to realize the detrimental results of such mental and physical abuse. Either it becomes an inner rage that causes disaster, or a fire that burns into something bright. For Cash, it seemed to be a combination of both. A sort of self induced trance, which caused him to both hate and eventually find a way to love himself again. Throughout the malaise of discontent, Cash found success and ultimately love through music.

Like many who are looking to find their way out of a tough childhood, Johnny Cash (Phoenix) joins the military, serving for a brief time in the Air Force. There he hones his talent on the guitar and writes several songs. When he returns State’s side, he marries, has children and settles into the normalcy of life. Taking several dead end jobs, he visits a local recording studio and dreams of what could be. After practicing with his band, they finally get their shot with much persistence. It‘s those songs he crafted during his lonely time in his services in Germany, that would become his biggest success and pave his way to stardom. Often through the most troublesome times in life people create works of art that truly touches people; either his battle with his inner self, a dramatic pursuit for his future wife June Carter (Witherspoon) or his brief stint in prison that would ultimately lead him to connect with fans on so many levels.

During his first tour with the likes of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and June Carter; Cash is introduced to several new demons, one coming by way of an addiction to pain killers and alcohol, the other his obsession with a beautiful Country Western legend in Carter, his noted ‘Ring of Fire’. After he returns to his wife Vivian (Goodwin), Cash is unable to shake his infatuation with Carter, which would be the downfall of his marriage. “All of your things, all the pretty little things.” He chases her with little positive results, until there is a moment where Cash is at the lowest point in his life. He lost it on stage and is no longer able to control his addiction. Carter helps to nurse him back to health and in the process heals several old wounds. Ironically Carter seems to be his rock, while in the same sense she is as troubled and as lost as him. When the two are finally connected, they cancel each other's demons with a magical stability. Throughout the film we follow Cash along his journey of ups and subsequent downs, but one of the most shocking scenes is his concert at Folsom Prison, where fan letters would inspire Cash to play a sort of comeback concert there. A return to the opening few seconds of the film, Cash plays to prisoners with dramatic effect. The film is loaded with iconic music, soul and most of character. Love is the resounding theme and I can’t think of any better reason.

I’ll never forget the first experience with the film. I was on a redeye flight from LAX to JFK, with a ‘brief’ layover stop in Denver. In short, the flight delayed and I missed my connecting flight. To say I had to spend 10 hours in Denver airport waiting for the next flight out would be an understatement. Considering this was before iPhone’s and my laptop was packed away, it was living hell. For hours I lamented, wondered around and finally turning to alcohol which lead to several drunken dialing fiascos that ended with hilarious results. When the time came for the flight back, I settled into my first class.., hallelujah seat and the movie being shown was no other than ‘Walk the Line’.

Sometimes when you see a film it just clicks with you. Although I was never previously a fan of Johnny Cash’s music, I could appreciate his career as a pivotal one in the music industry. Cash helped to break down barriers and his deep baritone voice combined with his skill on the guitar only helped to push his work into the limelight. ‘Walk the Line’ opened Cash’s work up to a new legion of fans, including myself, and if there is ever a better testament to a fine film, that is one. Phoenix and Witherspoon had the kind of chemistry that only comes around once in a while. There are times you wonder why the two never hooked up as they appear to be actually in a love – hate relationship, which often stirs lust.

Hi, I'm Jonny Cash

Joaquin Phoenix was handpicked by Cash himself to play the part of ‘The Man in Black.’ After seeing his phenomenal performance as the twisted Commodus in the blockbuster ‘Gladiator,’ he thought that no one could be better to fill his shoes. Cash wouldn’t live to see the completion of the film, but I doubt he ever figured just how good his choice was. Over the next couple of years, Phoenix would transform himself into Cash in a way that Hollywood has rarely seen. Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon performed all of the songs themselves. They also learned to play their own instruments in the film, including guitar and the harp, with no previous musical inclinations. On both accounts, it displays tremendous effort and dedication to their parts, it's phenomenal, really. June also wouldn’t live to see the completion of the film.

June Carter Cash actually picked Reese Witherspoon to portray her and again the performance was shockingly real. I was introduced to Reese Witherspoon at a young age in a film titled ‘The Man in the Moon’. I was shocked by her performance at 15 years old and portraying a young girl pining for an older man’s affection, only to be met with tragedy as the outcome. As an actor, her depth was amazing. I thought, this girl has it and is going to be a big star. With follow-ups in some enjoyable but less than creditable films like Fear, Pleasantville and Cruel Intentions, It looked as if she was picking good but not great roles, until ‘Walk the Line’ came along and made her an Academy Award winner for Best Actress. The film would garnish 5 nominations from the Academy with Witherspoon as the sole recipient, one that I felt she earned, as did Joaquin Phoenix, who ultimately walked away empty handed.

For some reason, reviewing this film made me want to see ‘Easy Rider’; the famed film with Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicolson that almost started a revolution. Not really common in any sense or theme, but both iconic in music of their generations. The extended cut runs at a bloated 152 minutes to improve over the film’s original 136 minutes running time. For those of you who felt the original was too long, you won’t be a fan of this longer version. But for me, as Johnny Cash’s life story unravels before my eyes, I don’t see how ‘Walk the Line’ could have been any better.
Rating: 10/10

The Presentation:
Now the Netherlands import transfer on the other hand is subjective, unlike the rock solid storyline and performances by the actors. ‘Walk the Line’ the Extended Cut makes its Blu-ray debut via Netherlands import on a 1080p~MPEG-2 transfer. Although a solid transfer with a beautiful presentation, the results seem a bit jaded.

I was tempted to rip this transfer apart on first viewing; but the more I watch it, the better it gets. I’m starting to understand the deliberate themes and dark overtones. The modes seem to change at different moments in Cash’s life. Success is bright, while doubt is deep or dark. Honestly, I’m a fan of this transfer. The opening scenes appear to have some grain, but things settle down from there, while only for brief moments do they seem to truly shine. The film is pretty dark over-all, bathed in deep browns and colors never really seem to shine. Blacks are deep enough, with some crisp whites. Skin tones are beautiful and accurate. The film is very soft, but with nice clarity. Interiors suffer, but still give off brilliant detail. Most exteriors look, well stunning.

The fishing scene about half way through is brilliant with vibrant greens soaked in tranquil sunlight, almost giving birth to the budding romance between the lead characters. As is the following concert, and for that matter most concert scenes are tremendous in HD. The high definition feel of this film is unique and has to be appreciated, even if inconsistent at points it still has tremendously detailed and sharp scenes that one tends to expect from fairly new releases. Overall the transfer probably won’t disappoint, even though it’s not perfect. It does have radiant moments and I’m tempted to give a higher score based off my first impressions.

"Fortunately, I keep my feathers numbered for just such an emergency.” The DTS HD 5.1 audio sounds fantastic. Honestly, this is the loudest BD I’ve heard in a while, if not ever. Everything is crisp with dynamic range and deep bass. I can’t stress enough how good this BD sounds, it is very impressive. 'Walk the Line' is almost too loud at points, but I can’t strike negative points for that. It really does the quality soundtrack and dialogue justice. Audio fans rejoice; this one is sure to blow you away, and your neighbors too. In short; ‘Walk the Line’ on Blu-ray is a very nice transfer. Even if it doesn’t blow you away on first viewing, it is sure to grow on you.
Rating: 7/10

Hi, I'm Jonny Cash

The Extras:
‘Walk the Line; Extended Cut’ Netherlands import is fully loaded BD with a vast assortment of well- crafted pieces in stunning HD. Put everything together and it’s a beautiful package and makes for a tremendously enjoyable viewings. I really didn’t know the man until I saw these behind the scene studies and examinations of the film. I can easily recommend viewing all, but ultimately they left me wanting more, which is rarity with extras or special features.

Commentary: With Co-writer and Director James Mangold.

Search: A feature that allows the user to choose from several scenes throughout the film from - A to Y. They left out Z, because having learned from ‘Sesame Street’, everybody hates the letter Z. From ‘Acoustic guitar’ all the way to ‘You’re my Baby’.

*Bonus Disc (25GB BD)

Johnny Cash Jukebox; Extended Musical Sequences: A list of all the musical sequences in the film with their extended versions and choice of an introduction. Fans of Cash’s music and Phoenix’s singing should love this feature. Does Joaquin Phoenix do a better Johnny Cash than Johnny Cash? That is the question. Blasphemy!

More Man in Black; Deleted Scenes: Two deleted scenes with optional commentary by James Mangold. (6 mins HD)

Sun Records & The Johnny Cash Sound: An exploration of Johnny Cash the musician, by fellow artists and producers. With backgrounds on the coming together of the music and the City of Memphis. (12 mins HD)

The Cash Legacy: Cash revisited, with several notables including the musicians featured in the previous feature and one Ozzy Osborne. An inside look at the voice and the style of the man. His legacy would ultimately be a unique and crafted style from his distinct voice. (15 mins HD)

Becoming Cash/ Becoming Carter: A look inside Phoenix’s and Witherspoon’s celebrated performances as Cash and Carter. All the way from the beginnings of the search, to how Phoenix hauntingly fit the bill and Witherspoon’s similar background. The title is actually fitting, as they did become the characters they portrayed. (11 mins HD)

Folsom; Cash & The Comeback: The background of the man behind the voice. The troubled and celebrated path of Cash and the big Prison comeback. (12 mins HD)

Ring of Fire; The Passion of Johnny & June: A description of the life of Cash and Carter. A brief character study by contemporaries, using scenes from the film to describe their passions and love. (11 mins HD)

Cash And His Faith: A look inside the beliefs of Cash by family and friends. Johnny Cash was a deeply spiritual man and drew strength from his faith in God. (11 mins HD)

Celebrating - The Man in Black; The Making of Walk the Line: Johnny Cash was a ‘Wild Man’. A look at the man behind the film, with cast and several of today’s biggest stars in the music industry, narrated by Kris Kristofferson. An excellent piece with stunning editing. All are good, but this is the best of the lot. (22 mins HD)

Theatrical Trailer: ‘Walk the Line’
Rating: 9/10

Overall:
‘Walk the Line’ is one of those pictures that capture all. A brilliantly depicted biopic, with tremendous showings by some of today’s brightest stars. If I had any say, which I most certainly don’t, I would have to implore Phoenix to return to acting with only a brief hiatus, as he is for currently attempting to carve out a stint in the Rap music industry. Huh? For whatever reason, this seems to me to be either a ploy or a hoax. Why not a folk or country type singer, which his voice seems well-suited for? In any event, it would be hard for him to top ‘Walk the Line’ and with Witherspoon as his leading lady; a beautiful and crafted cinema experience was created. I can recommend this import Blu-ray for fans of the film and Cash alike, as it’s probably not what most expect in terms of transfer excellence. But when the Blu-ray hits the states, I’m sure most will consider it a winner.
Rating: 8/10