Walk the Line

Looking on Rotten Tomatoes, I see that Walk the Line has received an 82% fresh rating. Checking last year's biopic Ray, I see it received an 81%. This doesn't surprise me at all, as they are basically the same exact movie; Boring, run of the mill biopics that should be on NBC and not in theaters. What surprises me is why critics keep eating this shit up.

Walk the Line stars Joaquin Phoenix as legendary musician Johnny Cash. The film follows Cash in typical biopic fashion: early childhood tragedy, struggling to make ends meet with a wife and kids, requisite scene where he begs someone to record his music, marital troubles, drug addiction, and big declaration of love. There is also very little artistry to the filmmaking. Everything is told in a bland, straightforward manner, without any visual flair and a noticeable lack of energy.

If one thing makes this film watchable, it is Reese Witherspoon's performance as June Carter. Reese confirms her status as one of the best actresses of her generation with her bright, vividly cheerful, soaring portrait of June. Almost everytime she appears on screen, the entire tone of the film changes and it becomes a joy to watch. But even her performance can't completely overcome the listless script.

It's true that last year I was a little more friendly to Ray. It may be because Ray Charles' death was a little more recent, maybe because Jamie Foxx's performance was a little more deeply felt, but it's most likely my annoyance at seeing the same exact thing in consecutive years. I guess I can't exactly blame the filmmakers. If the critics keep eating it up, and the Oscars keep awarding it, they'll continue to make it.

At the end of the film, there is the traditional scrawl to tell us what happened afterwards. We learn that Johnny Cash and June Carter were married for the next 35 years (until their death), moved into his home in Hendersonville, had a kid, and continued to tour together all over the world. Now, that's the movie I'd like to see.

John Spencer

He may have got his start on the Patty Duke show, but I first noticed John Spencer in the opening scene of Wargames. As an airman who refuses to launch a nuclear missile, Spencer gave his all in a very brief appearance. You may not remember this scene, but I would suggest going back to see it and appreciate the effort that Spencer gives to such a small role. It's the same kind of effort that he would later put out as one of the most reliable character actors in Hollywood.

He was one of those guys you kept seeing in movies but never knew his name. Even in genre movies such as The Negotiator and The Rock, he brought so much life to characters that were thinly written and used mainly as plot devices. Some of his best work was on the last few years of LA Law. He got very little attention for it because the show's quality declined during his run, but it certainly wasn't his fault. If anything, he remained the most consistently watchable thing about the show at the very end.

In 1999, Spencer finally got a role completely deserving of his talents. Aaron Sorkin was casting for a Political drama about the White House and wanted a "John Spencer-type" for the Chief of Staff, showing that at least some people recognized Spencer's talents. Fellow exec producer Tommy Schlamme suggested the obvious route of casting John Spencer himself. Thus, Leo McGarry and The West Wing was born. Over the next 6 years Spencer ceated one of the most intriguing, humble, flawed, loveable characters on TV.

I write about all of this because John Spencer died of a heart attack yesterday. I should have written it earlier. Despite an Emmy win in 2001, Spencer never did fully get the credit he deserved. At 58, he had a bright future ahead of him with the likely end of The West Wing. I have no doubt that he would have won an Oscar within the next decade. We will never know, but at least we can appreciate what he has given us in the past. I suggest everyone browse his filmography and discover some really great hidden work.

Rest in Peace, John Spencer. You will be missed.