Yesterday, as I was paying a visit to Knoxville Films World Headquarters, (Michael’s house), I was informed that we had been given the opportunity to review the 2 DVD release of “Walk The Line: Extended Cut”, in stores March 25th. As a native Tennessean and ardent admirer of Johnny Cash and the Carter Family, I was thrilled to be given the chance to screen the re-cut film and the accompanying disc filled with bonus features.
Needless to say, the film is brilliant. Joaquin Phoenix received an Oscar nomination for best actor and Reese Witherspoon took the Oscar for best actress in 2005 for their portrayals of Johnny and June Carter Cash in this amazing biopic. The 2 1/2 hour film held me enthralled from beginning to end; so much in fact, that immediately after watching film, I started it over again with the feature commentary with Co-Writer and Director James Mangold.
In his commentary, Mr. Mangold offers insight into the amazing casting and how such stellar performances were achieved. Because he had forged such a candid and trusting relationship with Johnny and June before their passing, he is also able to give us uncanny access to their lives. We are able to hear not only about the man, his music and his times but, also, his motivations and emotions through the best and worst of his larger-than-life experience.
I am that guy, who not only listens to every DVD commentary but also watches all of the bonus features for every movie. In doing so, I seem to learn something from each DVD about the art of filmmaking. This set in no way disappoints.
Disc 2 is chocked full of extended musical sequences, deleted scenes and featurettes. The extended musical sequences are wonderful. We get to see the full performances from Phoenix and Witherspoon as well as full-length interpretations of Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. Seeing the re-created concerts made me long to have been there for the original shows. Look out iPod. Here comes the whole Sun Studios catalog (and Johnny’s American sessions, of course).
The featurettes include stories about the lives of Johnny and June, as told by friends, family and colleagues. They give us insight into the making of the film, what made them the immortal figures they were to become, the origin of his signature sound, their passion for one another and Johnny’s enduring faith in God.
I can easily recommend “Walk The Line: Extended Cut” to anyone who loves Johnny Cash, Rock and/or Country music, biopics or movies in general.
Let’s look at it on the official Knoxville Films $1 Movie rating scale:
Money spent: $0 (free pre-release DVD from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s publicist . They must have made some kind of mistake.)
Production Value: Amazing!
Entertainment Value: So nice I watched it twice.
List Price: $26.98
Total Value: 269.8 dimes (and worth every penny).
Jeff Reed for Knoxville Films
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