Johnny bloody Cash, what a legend. The big, brooding ‘man in black’ just was rock hard cool. He never wore rhinestones and as an old fella covered Soundgarden tunes and put out a full page ad in Billboard sticking his finger up at the entire country music scene. But what about the man? What’s his story? That’s what made this movie instantly compelling to me. Though I must admit, Joachim Phoenix(?) playing the man in black threw me a bit.

Like Ray, this is a production that could probably only be made after the subject dies. Because let’s face it, no one reads - especially me. Simply it sheds too much light on the junkie factor the greatest hits album liner notes always gloss over.

What I really enjoyed though was the whirlwind pace this movie starts off with. Johnny’s career seems to kick off with intense fervour. He’s playing off the back of Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis as they take the piss and cover each others’ songs and just plain rock out. Then all of a sudden, it just hits the fan. Johnny boy falls in love with his co singer, a love that would last till his dying day, and starts hitting the pills harder than a DJ in Manchester, 50 years before their time.

Suddenly Cash is a success stuck in second gear. Joachim plays all this really well. Although I don’t quite reckon he can sing like Johnny (who the hell could) he has the brooding look pretty down pat. And he is pretty good looking. But holy crap! Reese Witherspoon is so good looking in this! While I conceeded with her that Phoenix is handsome, Reese is just unbelievably gorgeous in every scene. I honestly think my missus could watch it again just for her wardrobe. I could just because she is absolutely fantastic looking as a raven haired 50s chick.

You get the feeling that this movie, whilst lengthy doesn’t embellish the truth too much. Wikipedia tends to substantiate virtually all of it. There are some sheerly dynamite scenes though. My favourite being a big arsed drinking session after a gig, where Johnny Cash, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and all bandmates have had an all night drinking and jamming session after a gig, throwing their empties all over the stage. Reese’s character comes in enraged at Cash who’s forgotten a day time gig and starts throwing the empties at them!

What I wouldn’t do to be in that debauched jam sesh is just indescribable. It’s scenes like this, and the band on the road which are so indescribably compelling. The chemistry too between Phoenix and Witherspoon is cute, deep and often just plain funny. They show the complexity of the professional and emotional relationship quite well.

My only criticism is that this movie wasn’t so much about the rock and roll recklessness, but the endearing love affair between Cash and his second wife and co star June Carter. I kinda wish they focused more on the prison gigs at Folsom but their love was remarkable. And so is this story.

Have been hanging out to see all two hours of this movie and every last bit of it was worth it. Four and a half out of five!