Walk The Line: Life Of Johnny Cash

Walk the Line is a biographical movie that depicts the life of Johnny Cash. This film takes an in-depth look at how Mr. Cash came to know fame, loss, heartbreak, drug addiction, crime, and himself. Beginning with Johnny Cash’s childhood, the movie tells of how Johnny lost his brother at an early age and how his father struggled with alcoholism and blaming Johnny for the accident that killed his brother. Walk the Line illustrates the struggles of the marriage between Mr. Cash and his first wife, Vivian Liberto, as well as the rise to fame that led to Johnny Cash’s downward spiral into drug addiction. All the while a relationship was blossoming between Johnny and his future second wife, June Carter Cash, who of course had little tolerance for Johnny’s drug habit. Once Johnny has regained his sobriety, with the help of June and her family, Johnny asks June to marry him on stage and she agrees. By the end of the film, it is revealed that June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash were married, had children, made music, toured, and remained together until their passing.

Early on in the film, Johnny Cash forms a drug dependency of amphetamines, barbiturates, and alcohol.

Amphetamines are commonly called “uppers” due to the fact that they increase energy and decrease appetite (Kendall). While on tour, staying awake was of primary concern to Johnny Cash, which could be an explanation as to why they were so appealing to him. Barbiturates, however, belong to another class of drugs called Depressants, because they have to ability to slow down the central nervous system, causing a relaxing or sedated feeling (Kendall). Both of these types of drugs have the potential to create physical and/or psychological

addiction.
Drug abuse is defined as the excessive or inappropriate use of a drug that results in some form of physical, mental, or social impairment (Kendall). This definition is applied directly to the life of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line. Cash’s addiction to drugs put a strain on most of his relationships, including his first wife and children, the other artists he toured with, his second wife, his parents, and many more that weren’t depicted in the film. His physical health is also jeopardized due to his dependency; there is one scene in the film in particular where this is evident. Cash is shown on stage performing after participating in a combination of drugs and ultimately collapses on stage. He was also shown suffering fits of rage and attempting risky exploits.
Social Problems in a Diverse Society’s chapter on Alcohol and Other Drugs relates to Walk the Line because it offers information about the drug addiction that nearly devastated Johnny Cash’s life. This chapter also presents explanations as to why Johnny Cash experience some of the negative effects that were present in the film, including the heightened rage, paranoia, increased energy, etc.
Overall, I think that drug abuse and addiction are difficult topics to tackle; however, Walk the Line handled it in such a way that you feel as if you are watching it happen to someone you care about, which is devastating and enlightening all at once. I absolutely love this film and I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to learn about the life of a wonderful artist while also taking a look into the life of a drug addict.