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Jewell and Joaquin Phoenix vs Reese Witherspoon and Matt Ross

posted 10 years ago by TheRealBambi
2 replies | jump to latest

Overall, I enjoyed "Ring of Fire" better than "Walk the Line". Jewell's singing was great: maybe not June Carter sound-a-like, but excellent and uplifting. Reese Witherspoon just didn't do it for me as June Carter.

Joaquin Phoenix was really great as Johnny Cash. He brings the darkness on without getting too creepy. Matt Ross was okay once I got past his un-Johnny Cash appearance. I felt Mr. Ross brought the train wreck side of Johnny Cash out very well ... with the creepy element he's so good at.

I loved all the singing and music. It was refreshing to hear songs and see performances that weren't MTV flashes (so over that nonsense). I found myself singing along frequently.

Even though I would have liked more of a backstory about Johnny's first marriage, I'm glad they didn't demonize a mom staying at home with 4 kids ala "Walk the Line". It's one reason I'll never watch "Walk the Line" again. What woman with 4 kids is going to be happy go lucky 24/7. Please.

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[–] jaystarstar 9 years ago

ROF was more focused on June so it would have been kind of superfluous to spend much time on the marriage of Johnny and Viv.

I don't think Viv was really demonized in WTL -- it was made very very clear that Johnny did plenty to bring on the split with his own behavior.

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4) You ever seen Superman $#$# his pants? Case closed.

[–] flicky-3 8 years ago

Having watched both in the last few days...

I think in WTL Johnny can't handle the demands at home vs the demands of life on the road

When he came home off the road and Vivian was all over him I think it made his life on the road more comfortable/appealing esp. as he grew more attracted to June.

I think the movie had to draw that comparison to make the point (contrast) and it may have put Vivian in an unfair light.