The first being that the film minimizes the influence of Christ on Cash's development through his turbulent early career. Even though the film's focus is on this period in his life, when Johnny ostensibly led a depraved life, the influence of his relationship to Jesus only materializes when Cash wants to play Folsom Prison; and this scene gives the film its second-best line. When Cash wants to play the prison, the record executives see it as a bad business move which will alienate his main audience, the Christian gospel music lovers. Cash replies if they don't like it, "they aren't Christians then." This leaves one with a very difference sense of Cash's relationship to God than is true. In reality Cash's depravity was more out of a reaction to fame and making himself a god unto himself. To lose sight of this minimizes his loyalty to Christ from 1968 onwards. More of Cash's Christian motivations would've enriched the film with other great lines like that one had they been explored further by the film.
The second piece of criticism is about the initimation of a sexual fling between Johnny and June. The truth is that there is no evidence they ever did have a sexual affair; and the movie doesn't show them rolling in the hay per se. But it would leave you with the impression they just had sex if you didn't know the biographies. And while it is true Cash had numerous flings with young idolizing girl fans, the point must be made that Johnny held the true love of his life as something to be kept 'pure' and with all honour. These two points aside, the film is so fine in portraying this period in Cash's life. I particularly appreciate the manner in which Viv Cash, Johnny's first wife, is characterized. One can sympathize with her desire to divorce Johnny. This is one of the great strengths of the film: there is no attempt to cover up any of this holy man's warts or weaknesses. It has often amused me that God's great sense of irony can be exemplified in this: from the great depths of depravity, come the greatest heights of spiritual union. Examples could be multiplied to illustrate this, not the least of which include St.Mary of Egypt and St.Paul. I figure they see the darkness, and its pointlessness, and thus learn to love the light so much so that their sense of gratitude knows no bounds.
The best line in the film is delivered by Jack, Johnny's 14 year old brother, who was aspiring to know the Bible front to back like my priest Fr.Lawrence does. I could almost hear Fr.Lawrence delivering the line when Jack said to Johnny, "if I want to be a preacher, I need to know it front to back. To help somebody, you need to know which story to tell him." A poignant film indeed. It is the best new film I have seen in 2005.
2 comments:
I am amazed by their love story.
June Carter was such a strong woman, such a faithful woman.
And Johnny really relied on her in this respect. If she hadn't been such a strong woman of faith, I don't think they would have had that connection. I think this is what drew Johnny to her. They were kindred spirits.
Even as a couple, they are a beacon to the rest of us.
May God grant them rest where all of His blessed saints repose.
That line from Jack was the one that got me, too.
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