14 reviews
I didn't expect to like the music in this movie. I only watched it because it was directed by Allison Anders. Her "Gas Food Lodging" and "Mi Vida Loca" are among my all-time favorites.
The title suggests a movie about Johnny Cash, whose music I never cared for. I've never had much interest in June Carter or Jewel either, but in this movie I absolutely loved Jewel singing as June Carter. And she was so beautiful! Watching her sing was as much a pleasure as hearing her. I don't know whether she resembled the real June Carter, but she looked like a superstar, which I guess June Carter was in her time. She was Elvis' girlfriend, and she married Cash when he was the biggest star in the music business.
Even better was the group of actors singing as the Carter Family. I like the old Carter Family recordings, but the actors in this movie sound like a much better group from the same era, especially Michelle Kabashinski singing as Sara Carter. I'd love to have a CD of her singing old time songs in that style.
I can only think of 3 or 4 movies whose music I enjoyed as much. The rest of the movie was sometimes enjoyable and sometimes tedious. I'm sure I'll watch the music scenes again many times on DVD, but probably skipping past all the rest.
The title suggests a movie about Johnny Cash, whose music I never cared for. I've never had much interest in June Carter or Jewel either, but in this movie I absolutely loved Jewel singing as June Carter. And she was so beautiful! Watching her sing was as much a pleasure as hearing her. I don't know whether she resembled the real June Carter, but she looked like a superstar, which I guess June Carter was in her time. She was Elvis' girlfriend, and she married Cash when he was the biggest star in the music business.
Even better was the group of actors singing as the Carter Family. I like the old Carter Family recordings, but the actors in this movie sound like a much better group from the same era, especially Michelle Kabashinski singing as Sara Carter. I'd love to have a CD of her singing old time songs in that style.
I can only think of 3 or 4 movies whose music I enjoyed as much. The rest of the movie was sometimes enjoyable and sometimes tedious. I'm sure I'll watch the music scenes again many times on DVD, but probably skipping past all the rest.
As a lifelong fan of JC, I watched this for the story, knowing the telling of it wasn't going to be good. It made me angry to watch this shamefully bad production, but that is the general feeling anyone with any sense has when watching anything Lifetime puts out. Maybe I'm spoiled because Joaquin Phoenix actually made an effort. Who is this loser playing the Master? Ironically, Jewell is one of my favorite singers after JC, so it was nice seeing her playing June, I feel like she did alright with what she had to work with. I'm glad I watched it, because of the story, but I really didn't enjoy it at all. Shame on Lifetime. As usual.
This was to be about June and the love of her life Johnny Cash. There was no chemistry between them in this movie. I am not even sure why this movie was made it was the same story as Walk the line. Just not as good.
Matt Ross was not the person to play Johnny he didn't even look like him. Every time he was on the screen until someone said John I would think who is he? Jewel sang like Jewel instead of acting and singing like June. How can they make this movie without June and Johnny singing Jackson? It was not sang once in this movie.
This movie skipped all over the place it was boring. There is no way it could compete with Walk the line.
Matt Ross was not the person to play Johnny he didn't even look like him. Every time he was on the screen until someone said John I would think who is he? Jewel sang like Jewel instead of acting and singing like June. How can they make this movie without June and Johnny singing Jackson? It was not sang once in this movie.
This movie skipped all over the place it was boring. There is no way it could compete with Walk the line.
- ablondmoment
- May 27, 2013
- Permalink
This movie was awful. If you've seen Walk the Line, this will be absolute torture. Jewel has a great voice, but this movie was all over the map. I know this was Junes story, but it jumped time and time again. With Walk the line, you had a sense of how difficult it was for June to be divorced twice before Johnny. This movie just dumbed her down and not nearly enough music- IE: Jackson. I have to watch "Walk the Line" again to get the bad taste out of my mouth. As for the actor portraying Johnny, it was an absolute miss. He looked the same age at the beginning of the movie as he did at the end, for the exception of the final scene. Did I mention that he couldn't sing either? The same goes for June (Jewel). It wasn't until the end that they decided to give her a few wrinkles and gray streaks, however she did a nice job singing.
- mvdonnamae-697-696051
- May 27, 2013
- Permalink
Although some readers compare this movie to Walk The Line, I disagree. This new movie focuses more on the life of June Carter Cash & the tremendous love she had for Johnny Cash. She stood by him through his addiction and helped him recover. Jewel was excellent in her part of June Carter Cash - her mannerisms were "spot on". Although I have given it 10 stars, I found that the actor who played Johnny Cash was unbelievable as the singer. Other than that I found the movie very enjoyable and recommend it to others. Get ready to shed a few tears at the end. An interesting fact is that Johnny Cash died only four months after June Carter Cash died. I think he died of heartbreak after losing her.
"I fell for you like a child, oh but the fire went wild." June Carter (Jewel) is a member of country musics most famous family. After two failed marriages and a successful music career she finally gives in and marries country's bad boy, Johnny Cash (Ross). She then starts her new life singing, playing, raising kids and trying to keep Johnny clean. Some prove more difficult then others. Just about everyone know the story of these two icons. I am a huge Johnny Cash fan and even though this was a Lifetime movie I was still looking forward to seeing it. I do have to admit that Jewel did a pretty good job of playing June in this but no where close to how good Reese Witherspoon was. As far as the guy playing Johnny Cash...it would have been hard to even come close to Joaquin Phoenix but this guy was just bad. His acting was OK, but he looked and sounded nothing like him. In fact the whole movie I thought the guy looks more like Merle Haggard then Johnny Cash. As far as the actual movie "Walk The Line" dealt with Cash's drug problems fairly harsh but also had the music mixed in. This movie is more of a bio-pic of June Carter, but it's pretty much her helping Johnny get sober over and over. I know it's Lifetime and it does show how strong June was, but after the third scene of her telling Johnny he has to stop it becomes very repetitive and really starts to lose some of the emotion. Do not be like me and go in expecting a Johnny Cash movie with music, that's not what this is. Overall, Jewel does a good job but this is nothing like I expected. I give it a B-.
- cosmo_tiger
- May 31, 2013
- Permalink
This was a horrible, horrible movie!! The Ross dude was TORTURE to watch; they must have just pulled him in off the street!!! I loved "I Walk the Line," and I was so looking forward to a movie from June's perspective. This may be a movie from June's perspective, but I didn't think that Jewel would be the best actor in the movie!!! The director and the cameramen must have all been high or drunk. Worst movie I have seen in years!!!
Jewel did an amazing job portraying the timeless beauty June Carter Cash. I don't think it's fair to compare this movie to Walk The Line or other works based on the life of the Carters/Cash Families. They were all written through different views and different people. Matt Ross did an okay job playing Johnny Cash, but the vocals were lacking in the music area from him. Jewel astounded me with not only her vocals but her appearance as well. There were quite a few spots in the movie where Ross carried himself exactly they way we were accustomed to seeing Mr. Johnny Cash. He also had some physical similarities as well. It's hard to try to mimic a man with such unique handsomeness and features.
Overall, I would totally recommend this to Carter/Cash fans and anyone else interested in a quick "behind the scenes glance" through the eyes of Mr. John Carter Cash.
Overall, I would totally recommend this to Carter/Cash fans and anyone else interested in a quick "behind the scenes glance" through the eyes of Mr. John Carter Cash.
- Robert_duder
- May 31, 2013
- Permalink
Could they have possibly shaken the camera any more?
I might have somewhat enjoyed this movie if a bit of moderation was exercised when deciding when & how long to shake the camera. This technique can add tension when employed selectively but that did not happen here. The camera shook & shook & then shook some more. This technique is being overused in recent years and it is becoming quite tiresome!
Unfortunately, it felt like half of the film was shot in this, shall we call it: "Rattle Vision". Too much of this ruins the entire experience.
I've never before gotten motion sick while sitting in an easy chair, but "Ring of Fire" nearly drove me to toss my cookies into the Ring of Porcelain down the hall.
Because of the extreme queasiness I suffered trying to watch this mess, I feel compelled to rate it 3 stars out of 10. My apologies to the cast as they may have done a good job but I'll never know because most of the footage is a blur!
I might have somewhat enjoyed this movie if a bit of moderation was exercised when deciding when & how long to shake the camera. This technique can add tension when employed selectively but that did not happen here. The camera shook & shook & then shook some more. This technique is being overused in recent years and it is becoming quite tiresome!
Unfortunately, it felt like half of the film was shot in this, shall we call it: "Rattle Vision". Too much of this ruins the entire experience.
I've never before gotten motion sick while sitting in an easy chair, but "Ring of Fire" nearly drove me to toss my cookies into the Ring of Porcelain down the hall.
Because of the extreme queasiness I suffered trying to watch this mess, I feel compelled to rate it 3 stars out of 10. My apologies to the cast as they may have done a good job but I'll never know because most of the footage is a blur!
- AnimatronicBearLLC
- Aug 22, 2013
- Permalink
Far better than Walk the Line where no one looked or sounded like the people they were playing. And Johnny Cash doesn't like he's having a mini stroke or seizure when he starts a song. Much better storyline too.
- Ditzy-Gypsy
- Feb 16, 2021
- Permalink