Today's Movie: Walk the Line (2005)

In a few words, it's as terrific as advertised.

Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were impressive, believable not only as Johnny and June Carter Cash the people, but as musicians. These certainly must be the best actors-doing-their-own-singing performances since Sissy Spacek and Beverly D'Angelo in COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER a quarter-century ago. (Wow, has it been that long?) The pounding beat of the soundtrack stays with you long after you leave the theater.

One of the things I found most refreshing was that the film ends on an "up" note -- a life redeemed, rather than a life down the drain. The movie treads lightly on religious faith, but when June takes Johnny to church near the end of the film, it's clear, especially to those who know the real story beyond the movie, that God was a significant part of his turnaround.

Here's Roger Ebert's 4-star review.

Go see it.