Based on Johnny Cash's two autobiographies and written and cast with his input and that of his wife, June Carter. With Joaquin Phoenix as 'The Man In Black', we trace his life story right up to the night of his legendary Live At Folsom Prison concert and album. Reliving his less than idyllic childhood, his time in the military where he bought his first guitar, and then his rapid rise to fame with such hits as A Boy Named Sue and Ring of Fire, and the subsequent narcotic and alcohol dependencies he developed. Cash's story could never be told without soul mate June Carter, played with aplomb by Reese Witherspoon, who he listened to on the radio as a child, then co-performed with on tours, fell in love with and eventually married.

Channelling Cash's unmistakable bass bravado and noble demeanour, Phoenix joins the select list of actors who have masterfully translated complex icons onto the screen. Witherspoon is charming and effervescent and, as the couple's relationship develops, so does her astonishing performance. - Toronto Film Festival

Winning and tough, Witherspoon simply could not be better in her most serious, fully elaborated performance to date...Their surprisingly good vocal performances on the many well-known songs are icing on the cake. - Variety