Healthy Marriage Movie Guide--- Walk the Line

è The Cash parents have the pressures of money on their minds as they are picking crop. The father threatens selling the family piano and she retorts that she isn’t the one at the bar drinking.  Mama begins singing hymns to break the tension. What do you think of this repair attempt and their relationship?

è Papa Cash blames others for the things that happen. Johnny, at only 12 years old, was blamed for his brother’s accident. How do you think this strained the other relationships in Papa’s life? With his wife, with his other children?

è Vivian asks John if he is going to try to sell something for work that day and he promises he will. She is obviously worried about where they are financially and there are options available. If you were in this situation, how would the future play out if you were them? Johnny followed his passion and did not give in to moving to where there was a certainty working for Viv’s father.

è John and Viv are at a friend’s house playing cards and music. She is upset and shows him the eviction notice. They are down to nothing and he wants to stay because of his friends and the opportunities that could come in music being in Memphis. How do you work on these types of decisions as a couple?

è Vivian just wanted John to support her and the family they were creating, and she was so excited when he came home and said that they recorded a record.  How can you stay focused, as a couple, on the goals and dreams that you have?

è Johnny called his wife while he was doing a concert in Texarkana. He is all jazzed about how well things are going, but she is busy back home. How do you think he could have done better about finding the balance with the excitement he was experiencing and recognizing what was happening back home? Also, how could have Viv supported him on this phone call?

è John sits down by June in the café late at night and they chat, getting to know each other. John, his whole life, has always liked June and finally has the opportunity to know her in real life. In what ways do you stay true to your spouse and not become too close to the someone that could come between you and our spouse?

è Johnny is back at home and Vivian comes in to talk to him and see if he will help her and talk about how she wants him more involved. She also brings up the letters that have been coming in and how they make her insecure. How do you think he could have acted better in this conversation?

è “I want you John. I want you and I want everything that you promised me.” What do you think about that fight that Vivian and John had? How would things have been different if he would have replied differently, seen what she was saying? How could she better express how she felt about him and their time and what is most important?

è John tries to kiss June after she gives him a book. She stops him and tells him she can’t, and he shouldn’t. How important is it to take responsibility for the things that we do and to also recognize when we are in a place/situation that is not right or in harmony with our marriage and other things that need to be respected?

è Johnny does not take responsibility for his actions. His wife is not able to be with him while he is out touring, and he tries to lead her to believe that he is being true to her.  Do you think it would be different if they were to take select time to be together when he is home and to maybe include her in some of the touring?

è John is in the store trying to figure out what paper doll book to send to his daughter for her birthday that he missed. Are different dates and anniversaries important to you and our spouse? How do you work on keeping memories strong in your relationship?  Being able to reminisce for birthdays and anniversaries can help strengthen marriage when times are difficult.

è June and Johnny can’t help but be around each other in their professions, but there are boundaries that can be put up to not have cross over of personal and work life. Have you or your spouse had to work with someone of the opposite sex? How could they have kept their relationship at the friend level?

è Johnny is constantly on tour, time keeps passing and he seems to hardly be able to spend time with his family. How are you able to make the best of the time you have? Do you sit down and make plans for time with your spouse, with your family, and the other things that are important? How do you make the things happen?

è Johnny and June are up on stage singing and we see his whole family down in the crowd. What did you think about their different facial expressions and what they may have been feeling and thinking?

è Johnny does not do well with disappointments or people not doing what he wants. What ways would have worked better for him, then drugs, when he was upset that June wouldn’t talk to him after their night together? Communication is key to all our interactions and as you can see, the mental health of individuals.

è Vivian is making sandwiches for the next day and Johnny tries to come help her and he is telling her a lie about the drugs that he was caught with. Addiction is strong. How do you think they could have started to repair things from this point? Can one partner try when the other has “checked out”?

è Vivian has a break down when Johnny starts to put up pictures of June and then he pins her to the ground; the girls see. At what point did this fight go too far?

è  “Love is more important than a tour” “Start loving yourself so we can go back to work”. What are your thoughts on self-love and your ability to love others?

è At the Thanksgiving dinner Johnny and his dad have a fight at dinner. His daddy says he quit drinking a long time. Obviously, the addictive behavior is part of the family genes and not being able to discuss things well with people, i.e. their spouses. How can you support your spouse, have effective communication, and use them as the “one” you go to in times of despair?

è June offers Johnny some fresh raspberries. You can see that they are able to start to forgive each other for things that have been going on. What small gestures have been “peace offerings” in your relationship?

è “I’ve done so many bad things” “You’ve done a few…You’re not nothing. You are not nothing. You are a good man. You’ve been given a second chance to do things right, John.” Do you believe in “second chances”? have you been able to recognize mistakes and move forward, stepping out with a fresh resolve?

è What do you think about Johnny wearing all black on different important days and situations he has?  His wife Vivian said, “you look like you are going to a funeral” and he says, “maybe I am”. He puts forth that statement sort of like it is important to take a chance, do something that others might not appreciate, but that might just be the leap of faith you need.

è “Then they’re not Christians then”. The business men say that his Christian fans don’t want him singing to a bunch of murders and rapists. What does being a Christian mean to you?

è Johnny proposes to June on stage, she is unsure, but he apologizes for the things he has put her through and the hurt. He tells her that he won’t leave her like the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dam. How important is true partnership in marriage?

Did your opinion of Johnny Cash change after watching this movie?