Walk the Line

Aroview: Better-than-expected biopic of iconic American country singer Johnny Cash (Phoenix), especially focusing on his intense relationship with wife June Carter (Witherspoon), his substance abuse problems and artistic redemption in the recording of the seminal 1968 'Live at Folsom Prison' album.

With the leads contributing excellent vocal skills and mannerisms, and dir. Mangold (COPLAND) producing a solid and polished period atmosphere, this is only really disappointing in the essential conventionality of its script, which fails to grasp the essential unconventionality of Cash. Even so, the tale is entertaining enough and brief inclusions of Elvis, Jerry Lee, Roy Orbison and others weaves a suitably fascinating mileu around the 'man in black's' life story.