NXNE Film Review: Johnny Cash’s America

Johnny Cash’s America takes us on a journey from his beginning as an American Country-Folk musician, to his death in 2003. The film touches upon the lesser-known aspects of his life, such as his fight for Native American rights in the mid-1960s, to his involvement with Billy Graham, and his strong Christian faith. Throughout the movie, we’re also given a close-up view on Johnny’s long-time speed addiction and the effect it had on his life, both emotionally and physically.

So I didn’t end up watching the movie with any people that were huge Johnny Cash fans, and I was probably the only one who had any knowledge of his awesomeness. I went into watching this with the more well-known Johnny Cash facts; his first marriage, his drug addiction, his eventual marriage to June Carter Cash, etc, but there were definitely some interesting tid-bits that I wasn’t aware of at the same time, such as his near-obsession with Native American culture. So I give you my likes and dis-likes on the documentary.

The Good

First and foremost, my two biggest pet peeves when it comes to documentaries on anyone is when they’re either too long or too short; Johnny Cash’s America was juuust right. It touched on all the most crucial aspects of his life, the ones that had the biggest impact on him as a man and the ones that had the most impact on his family, friends and fans. It started during his childhood with the loss of his older brother in a sawmill accident (which was touched upon in Walk the Line… I know, I know. It’s a glammed up Hollywood version of the man’s life, but it’s still an awesome movie full of the sex god that is Joaquin Pheonix. Mmm mm.) and ends up with his death in September of 2003, less then 5 months after his wife of 35 years, June, passed away due to complications following heart surgery. Some of the clips that they movie showed were never-before-seen (of course!) and totally awesome. I especially loved the clips of him with all of the U.S. presidents (up to Reagan) and how he basically gave Richard Nixon a big ‘eff you’ by refusing a song request when he played for him at the White House.

The Bad

Really though, I loved the movie. I didn’t think there were any bad aspects, but you have to be a Johnny Cash fan to appreciate the doc. It was well-made and to the point, without beating around the bush with filler information like so many other documentaries have in the past.

I love Johnny Cash. The man was a sheer genius and produced some of music’s biggest classics. I give the movie 5/5 stars if you can appreciate the man and enjoy a good musical documentary, if not, check out some of the other movies playing at NXNE this year!

Trailer – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XNQyxtrZuE

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