Walk the Line Tells the Love Story of Johnny and June Carter Cash

Walk The Line begins as a biography about legendary musician Johnny Cash who burst onto the scene in the 1950s with a string of hit songs released by Sun Records. He continued to make his presence felt up until his death in 2003 when he collaborated with producer Rick Rubin on a cover of the Nine Inch Nails’ song “Hurt” and the amazingly poignant video that accompanied it. As the film progresses, it changes its focus to the love story between Cash and June Carter, which the title of the film alludes to. “I Walk The Line” is about a man who stays on the straight and narrow for the woman that he loves.

When Cash was a young boy, his brother died in an accident. This had a great impact on him and the family dynamic. After serving in the Air Force, Cash marries his sweetheart Vivian Leberto. He tries working odd jobs while pursuing his dream of becoming a musician. He plays with guitarist Lester Perkins and bassist Marshall Grant, eventually getting an audition with Sun Records owner Sam Phillips in 1955.

Phillips isn’t impressed with the traditional gospel number they perform because he’s heard it many times before and heard it better. Cash takes a chance and plays a song he wrote called “Folsom Prison.” Since this is the first time they have heard it, the other fellows jump in when they can. Phillips hears a talent he can sell and signs them.

They go out on tour as Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two with other Sun Records’ artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. Cash discovers the life of a touring musician offers access to eager female fans willing to help you enjoy your stay in a new town and amphetamines to keep you moving onto the next city. It also makes home life difficult which his wife makes clear as she struggles to raise their children virtually alone.