To paraphrase a famous song lyric, Johnny Cash was a little bit country, and a little bit rock n’ roll. In my mind, Cash was the greatest American artist of all time. He was a true to heart songwriter who’s tragedies and struggles in life drove some of his most emotionally charged songs. Walk the Line perfectly captures the true essence of the man behind the legend, making Cash seem like something of “tall tale,” which is how some people view him to this day. He was a true rebel and embodied the elements that would shape up and influence some artists today.

Walk the Line is exactly what its made out to be. Its the story of the man, the myth, the legend, the man in black, Mr. Johnny Cash. The film traces a good portion of Cash’s life. It starts off with Cash as a child and flashes forward to him discovering music for the first time. It then follows Cash through the music business and the hardships of being a performer and family man. The film mainly focuses on his relationship with future wife June Carter.

Walk the Line is a very gritty biopic. In fact, its also one of the most historically acurrate. True, there are some bits that seem a little “Hollywood.” For example, there’s a scene where Cash passes out on stage. That actually never happened. That scene was merely put in to show the affects of Cash’s drug abuse. Aside from tiny nitpicks like that, the film is pretty much the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

With incredible performances and wonderful music that’ll sweep you off your feet, Walk the Line is easily one of the greatest biopics in existence. It perfectly portrays the life of an American icon and does the tale justice.