Redeemed by which love?

Sogar die New York Times, die ganz und gar kein christliches Blatt ist, hat es bemerkt: In "Walk the Line" wird Johnny Cash von June Carter erlöst - schließlich sind wir in Hollywood und nicht im Bible Belt. Das wirkliche Leben sah anders, komplexer, zerrissener aus - und sakramentaler.

Regisseur James Mangold war sich dessen zwar bewußt:

Mr. Black and others have suggested that the role of religion in Mr. Cash's life was minimized because Hollywood generally shies away from such subject matter. But the issue could have just as much to do with the practical limits on making a satisfying film. "I wanted to make a movie about Johnny Cash and June Carter and the birth of rock 'n' roll," said James Mangold, who directed "Walk the Line" and wrote it with Gill Dennis. So, he explained, he tried to use Mr. Cash's love for Ms. Carter as a symbol for various forms of redemption.

"June was a figure of redemption," Mr. Mangold said, "beautiful in the way that God's light is beautiful."

Für die reale June Carter Cash mag das stimmen, aber im Film wird dieses Licht doch erst einmal durch den üblichen Hollywood-Filter geschickt - und der nimmt einiges an Tiefe weg.