There are some eternal constants in this world, other than Disney, that costantly pop up in movies. Mind over matter (usually), love over hate (always), and most disturbing of all: style over substance. This last one is the dominant factor in the oscar-wining biopic about Johnny Cash's (Joaquin Pheonix playing Mr. Cash as Forrest Gump, which he very well may be) early years spent with June Carter (Reese Witherspoon in a brilliantly comedic performance).
There are alot of reasons Johnny goes after June; obsession, need, even stability. And there is justification for his needs (in the form of a god-awful father and one very tragic family destroying accident). But there is no justification for the justification. Back and forth throughout the entire movie Mr. Cash finds June Carter, loses her, then finds her again. Most often finding her on stage (where both actors bear they're souls singing with their real voices). These on-stage duets are the heart of the movie and a very good time to watch. Plus you can't help but giggle when Reese Witherspoon sardonically chants "baby, baby, baby, baby" then slams the door in Joaquin's face.
When Johnny Cash stands triumphantly in the final scene of the movie singing to the convicts of Fulsom Prison we aren't sure if he is serenading them, or in his own quiet way, mocking them. What we are lead to be sure of though is that Joaquin Pheonix gives a hell of a performance in this last song if nowhere else (though he does an admirably consistently good job overall). Again: style over substance. So should we care that Johnny Cash loved death and obsessed over a married women? Yes. Should we care why? No. And the movie makes that clear.
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