Handlung
USA Mitte der 50er Jahre: Der aus armen Verhältnissen stammende J.R. Cash heiratet nach seiner Dienstzeit beim Militär in Deutschland seine junge Freundin und bekommt mit ihr zusammen ein Kind. Er träumt von einer Karriere als Musiker und es gelingt ihm eines Tages mit einigen seiner älteren Songs, die er während seiner Militärzeit geschrieben hatte, eine Platte aufzunehmen. Cashs Aufstieg ist rasant und bei einem seiner Auftritte lernt er die Sängerin June Carter kennen und beginnt sich in sie zu verlieben, doch auch June ist verheiratet. Johnny landet einen Hit nach dem anderen und verfällt immer mehr der Tablettensucht, in die er sich immer mehr hineinsteigert. Bald hat Johnny sein Leben und die Sucht nicht mehr unter Kontrolle, seine Tour wird gecancelt und seine Frau zieht mit den Kindern aus. Johnny steht kurz vor dem Aus …
Regie
Besetzung
Joaquin Phoenix
John R. Cash
Reese Witherspoon
June Carter
Ginnifer Goodwin
Vivian Cash
Robert Patrick
Ray Cash
Dallas Roberts
Sam Phillips
Dan John Miller
Luther Perkins
Larry Bagby
Marshall Grant
Shelby Lynne
Carrie Cash
Tyler Hilton
Elvis Presley
Waylon Payne
Jerry Lee Lewis
Shooter Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Sandra Ellis Lafferty
Maybelle Carter
Dan Beene
Ezra Carter
Clay Steakley
W.S. "Fluke" Holland
Johnathan Rice
Roy Orbison
Johnny Holiday
Carl Perkins
Ridge Canipe
Young J.R.
Lucas Till
Young Jack Cash
Carly Nahon
Young Reba Cash
McGhee Monteith
Reba Cash
Wyatt Entrekin
Tommy Cash (5)
Hailey Anne Nelson
Roseanne Cash
Kerris Dorsey
Kathy Cash
Delaney Keefe
Cindy Cash
Victoria Hester
Carlene Carter
Deborah Rawlings
Diner Waitress
James DeForest Parker
Inmate
James Keach
Warden
Davielle Boyce
Maid at Door
Glenn Alan Gardner
Texarkana Stage Manager
Danny Vinson
Texarkana MC
Dave McPhail
Armory MC
Bob King
Armory Stage Manager
Natalie Canerday
Lady in the Aisle
Rhoda Griffis
Five and Dime Manager
Jeff Bailey
El Paso Taxi Driver
Ross Harkins
Record Executive
J.D. Evermore
F.B.I. Man
Helen Ingebritsen
Bank Teller
J.W. Williams
Pill Man
Shane Bowen
JR's Agent
Tim Ware
A & R Man #1
Dolan Wilson
A & R Man #2
J. Allen Scott
Dyess Doctor
Clare Grant
Lissome Girl
Michael Ingersoll
Donzil
Carter Thrower
Sheriff
J.P. McNeely
Musician
Brian Deas
NCO
Glenda Pannell
Neighbor Woman
Amy Lavere
Wanda
Tracee Mae Miller
Birdie Perkins
Ken Axmaker Jr.
Record Company Executive / Reporter (uncredited)
Bryce Blackman
Prisoner (uncredited)
Garnet Brooks
Prisoner (uncredited)
David Caffey
Record Company Executive (uncredited)
John Carter Cash
Bob Neal (uncredited)
Mark Alan Compton
Man (uncredited)
Brian Crider
Prisoner (uncredited)
Richard Crowe
Service Station Guy (uncredited)
Josh Driver
Cash's Stagehand (uncredited)
Jeff Evans
Folsom Prison Assistant Warden (uncredited)
Geoff Falk
Folsom Prison Assistant Warden (uncredited)
Jan Falk
Lady at the Five & Dime (uncredited)
Marc Farley
Ferlin (uncredited)
Evelyn Diana Frogge-Chabot
Audience Member / Fan (uncredited)
Gavin Lindsay Goode
Prison Guard Sniper (uncredited)
Cody Hanford
Tommy Cash (age 9) (uncredited)
L. Michele Hester
Columbia Records Secretary (uncredited)
Kimberly Hill
Concertgoer (uncredited)
Jason Lewin
Band Member (uncredited)
Katie Lindsey
Rosey Nix (uncredited)
Mathew Luschek
Businessman in Bathroom (uncredited)
Donald Meyers
Record Company Executive (uncredited)
Michael Montgomery
Man in Aisle (uncredited)
Zach Navarro
Folsom Prison Prisoner (uncredited)
Rich Parham
Salesman / Prisoner (uncredited)
Chris Plumlee
Stagehand (uncredited)
Kevin Scroggs
Press Photographer (uncredited)
Laura Lynn Seguin
Screaming Fan (uncredited)
Brit Shaw
Etta Grant (uncredited)
Melissa Goodwin Shepherd
Flight Attendant (uncredited)
Ben Taylor
Jack the Drunk (uncredited)
Frank Hoyt Taylor
Passionate Preacher (uncredited)
Danny Thomas
Prison Guard (uncredited)
Sheila Thomas
Girl in Crowd (uncredited)
Dave Thompson
Derwent (uncredited)
Jim Wright
Military Supervisor (uncredited)
Laurie Johnson
Church Lady (uncredited)
