Top Films of '05: #3 Walk The Line

Joaquin and Reese. What more can you say – the performances in Walk The Line raise a good film to the realm of sheer greatness. It’s no big shock that Joaquin Phoenix is awesome as Johnny Cash (well, maybe a little shocking that he sings so damned good), but Reese Witherspoon is his equal in every way, threatening to steal the movie from Phoenix at every turn. I can’t think of a single film this year that hinges so heavily on its lead actors and manages to exceed every expectation. Biopics (particularly of legendary musicians) are usually filled with pitfalls, and Walk The Line has its share of them. But you’ll forget the flaws when Phoenix and Witherspoon are belting it out onstage or duking it out in private. The success of this film rides mostly on their fervent portrayals of Johnny and June (though James Mangold should be applauded for good, if not great, writing and directing), and if there’s any justice in the world, Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon will be walking off with Oscars next year.