From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Objectively speaking, Joaquin Phoenix did his best to interpret the character of Johnny Cash within his capabilities.

However, did Joaquin's version of "Walk the Line" become a classic in his previous life? Did Joaquin's version of Johnny Cash move the audience in his previous life?

No, it didn't.

Why?

Is it because Joaquin's acting skills weren't good enough?

No, the answer lies in the music.

From the moment the two Jameses conceived the "Walk the Line" project, they tried to enter the world of Johnny Cash through music. However, Joaquin's biggest weakness was his inability to touch Johnny Cash's soul through music, nor could he establish a connection with the audience through music.

Now, the pressure is entirely on Anson.

After careful consideration and personal experience, weighing the pros and cons, Anson made this choice, even if the cost was plunging the entire crew into chaotic high-speed operation.

In Anson's view, the troubles and difficulties he is currently experiencing are all worthwhile.

Because—

Everything is hard in the beginning.

Once he breaks the ice, he will be able to push open that door, and subsequent matters will become easier.

Therefore, there is the current chaos.

Obviously, Anson knows the consequences of disrupting the crew's filming schedule, but he still did it, which shows how much he values this role, as well as his unavoidable nervousness and worry.

After careful consideration, Anson believed he needed to do this, and then he did it, decisively and firmly.

Now, the moment of truth is here—

Whether it's a mule or a horse, it must be brought out for a walk.

From the moment he entered the recording studio, Anson was consciously "indulging", allowing his nervous emotions to spread wantonly.

A little distraction, a little anxiety, amidst the tension and apprehension, he didn't forget a little humor. All these details are characteristics that Johnny Cash possessed. Anson is getting into character and trying to transform the recording studio space into Sun Records half a century ago, allowing them to return together to that afternoon when Johnny Cash's musical dream hung by a thread.

To some extent, Anson is allowing the character to devour him, silently breaking the boundary between reality and illusion, blurring the lines between actor and role.

Outside of the music, Anson has entered a state of performance.

So, the nervousness is real, the caution is real, and the unease is real.

Similarly, the jokes and banter are also real, and the feeling of trying to relieve his tension but still having a dry mouth after speaking is all real.

This feeling is especially subtle.

Behind the camera, Mangold was also nervous.

This nervous atmosphere spread throughout the crew, and even Hunter and the others couldn't help but hold their breath, no longer in the mood to joke around.

"Action!"

On set, the sound of the clapperboard came, and the camera began to roll.

The camera lens was aimed at the Tennessee Three, with Anson, Larry, and Dan John standing in an inverted triangle.

Originally, Mangold planned to use a panoramic panning shot to capture the backs of the Tennessee Three, while Sam Phillips would be the only one facing the camera.

But after thinking about it, this is "Walk the Line", and it wouldn't be right not to focus on the biggest star of the cast in the first scene. So, Mangold changed his mind, and the first shot started with a frontal view of the Tennessee Three.

Anson stood in the front, only two steps away from the camera. His tall and straight figure oppressively covered the lens. The three of them were all wearing black shirts, and their serious and solemn expressions looked indeed like a funeral.

However, the camera had already started rolling, but Anson didn't react. He stood in front of the camera, seemingly forgetting the time, and was actually dumbfounded for a moment.

Hunter was stunned, "Oh no, Anson is scared."

Cody looked back at Hunter speechlessly: Do you know what nonsense you're talking about? Who's scared? Anson? How is that possible!

But Anson really didn't react. He stood in front of the camera, half-closed his eyes, seemingly adjusting his breathing. Although filming had already started, he didn't move.

Time was slowly passing.

Mangold was slightly anxious. He hadn't worked with Anson before and wasn't familiar with Anson's working style, so he didn't know what was going on in front of him.

So, should he call cut? Or should he continue to let it go and wait?

For a moment, the thoughts in his mind were too chaotic to calm down.

Not only Mangold, but everyone else was also holding their breath. In the stalemate, they became more and more nervous, more and more anxious, and more and more impatient. No one was an exception.

Everyone could feel that tension, and the atmosphere of the entire crew was changing.

......

To some extent, Hunter was right, because everything in front of him was deliberately created by Anson.

Anson knew the camera lens was pointed at him, and he was the focus.

Anson also knew that the eyes inside and outside the crew were all focused on him.

Including Dallas. Including Larry and Dan John.

So, consciously, Anson slowed down the pace of his performance, creating an atmosphere, and involving all the actors in the recording studio in this tense atmosphere.

Take a deep breath and try to control your emotions.

But involuntarily, take another deep breath.

On the surface, the breathing has calmed down; in reality, the atmosphere has become even more tense, with a sense of oxygen deprivation, so that the breathing rhythm of others is also messed up, and anxiety and uneasiness spread in the air.

However, that's Anson, and even the director doesn't dare to interrupt the filming easily.

Mangold didn't understand, but still remained silent, which made the atmosphere even more tense.

The onlookers were all confused and didn't understand what was going on in front of them. They knew this was a film crew, and they needed to be quiet, but the inexplicable scene in front of them made them unable to complain and unable to be quiet.

One or two whispered to each other, unable to suppress their restlessness.

"Is this some kind of performance art?"

"No wonder they say art is profound. I, a vulgar person, can't understand it at all."

"It's really pretentious. What is he doing there?"

"Is that it? There's nothing to filming. It looks boring."

"Is that guy holding back some big move? Next, he's going to use Pegasus Meteor Fist and prepare to wipe out everyone in the recording studio?"

The trivial whispering sounds made Mangold feel irritable—

Although the sounds here don't affect the filming inside the recording room; and here, there are only rustling sounds like light rain hitting banana leaves, which is far from noisy.

But Mangold still felt annoyed.

Unable to calm down.

At this time, Mangold was thinking in his mind that if he had a machine gun, he might really not be able to help but turn around and sweep it, and then the world would be quiet.

Impatience. Tension. Anxiety.

Surging in the air.

Dallas noticed it. He was slightly surprised that Anson would also be nervous.

Moreover, the once upright and imposing Anson seemed to have completely lost that momentum; instead... he seemed a little restrained, a little at a loss, and behind the restraint was a bit of incompetence, even afraid to look people in the eyes.

The subtle changes gradually calmed Dallas's irritability and tension.

Then, finally, there was a sound—