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Tom Neven (Plugged In) writes, "Johnny's story—the whole story, that is—is a hopeful one, because it's about redemption. Mangold hints at this in Walk the Line, but moviegoers are left thinking that salvation came not from Jesus, but rather from a hit record recorded live at Folsom Prison. That's not fair and it's not true. … Mangold … was much too interested in Johnny and June's love affair with each other to spend much time on what God was preparing them for."

Steve Beard (a Christian writing about film and culture for The National Review) likes the film anyway. "Despite its gaps and shortcomings, however, Walk the Line is powerful and electric—the kind of movie that Johnny Cash could appreciate, warts and all."

Most mainstream critics are calling it one of the year's best films.

Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin (Cinema in Focus) say, "Though the film does not adequately display [Johnny Cash's] Christian faith, it does show how his life was changed and that this troubled man used his inner struggles to minister to those who also had such damage in their own lives. It is this message that makes this man in black a truly memorable person."

A ready-to-download Movie Discussion Guide related to this movie is available at ChristianityTodayMoviesStore.com. Use this guide after the movie to help you and your small group better connect your faith to pop culture.

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The Man in Black	Printer view
Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, who play Johnny and June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, join director James Mangold to discuss the legend's life—and faith.