At the beginning of this documentary, there's a line about how most people know June Carter Cash from Reese Witherspoon's wonderful portrayal in Walk The Line. That was me, to be sure. So, I was mesmerized to see the real-life story of June given its light of day.
Basically, "June" uses archival photos/videos and interviews to tell the story of its titular subject from her time touring with the immensely popular Carter Family of musicians to her own solo career, relationship with Johnny Cash, and continued music-making even into later life. A soup-to-nuts documentary, in other words.
It's so easy to think of June of "Mrs. Johnny Cash", and though her time with Johnny is of course given its fair share here, director Kristen Vaurio really does keep the focus on the woman herself. Most notably, her immense vocal, comedic, and all around performing talents are immediately apparent. Then, her ability to support Johnny and reach the stratosphere of fame (even during tough substance abuse and marital times). Finally, a resurgence of solo music leading right up to--and even after, winning a posthumous Grammy!--her death. I had no idea that June herself was such an icon in the music business.
I also marveled at the archival footage (even of a very young June) that this doc was able to obtain. Through images and video, viewers are taken into basement jam sessions in the Cash home with any number of musical luminaries, as well as an old and rather haggard Johnny playing guitar and doing backup vocals on June's later solo albums. Again, I had never seen or realized any of this previously.
Finally, "June" is as emotional of a doc as one will ever watch. Not a single interviewee can get through her final days without shedding tears, and I can all but guarantee you'll be doing the same after realizing the legacy of June and the hole her loss left on so many lives. That emotion--combined with all the other media present here--make "June" a 10/10 effort with no hesitation.
