User reviews

Enjoyed the film; fascinating how history can be rewritten by the "victors," even if those victors are screenwriters, directors or producers with a point of view.

Great home movies and photos.

Loved the differing memories of Viv and Johnny's daughters--"Really? I don't remember it that way," one quietly murmurs at her sister's words. The film builds power through the daughters' loving testimonies, the weight of family photos, and interspersed film clips showing life in the '50s, '60s through the '90s and aughts.

Right now, I want to complain about IMDb, one of my sacred websites...How can they list the first two stars of MY DARLING VIV as Joaquin and Reese?! Why aren't Vivian and Johnny Cash first and foremost?

For shame!!!

This is listed as a documentary, and features some of the cash children, so one expects that there is some amount of truth in what is being portrayed. It was even produced by tara cash. Lots of family legends and stories, some of which are nice and cozy, some of which are not. Lots of family stories, photos, videos that we've never seen before. They talk about the drug use. How vivien was left high and dry, financially and personally, when june came along. Even the church abandoned vivien, because of the divorce. The story is told almost exclusively from the point of view of the children, who were quite young when this all occurred. It's well done. Vivien, john, and june are all gone at this point, so clearly they won't have a chance to comment. Directed by matt riddlehoover.

This was a lovely and heartbreaking film. The story of a woman who found herself in a life she did not choose with a man who was not being a great deal of help. It was wonderful to hear the story of this woman who was essentially erased from Cash's history by those who chose to mythologize his relationship with June Carter. The portrait that emerges from the interviews with their 4 daughters is complex. Highly recommend this for a different view on the Johnny Cash myth.

My Darling Vivian is a well put together documentary telling the life story of Johnny Cash's first wife, Vivian Liberto, through their four daughters.

Most people aware of Johnny Cash's story only know Vivian as the first wife he was already married to when he fell in love with June Carter. But this story gives a glimpse into his life before fame, before drugs, and before the "Johnny and June" love story was over romanticized by both Hollywood and CMT. This documentary doesn't take away from that, but it gives you a perspective on the people that suffered because of Cash's fame and drug use. Being gone for long periods of time leaving Vivian to fend for four children alone. All while trying to deal with crazy fans, the threat of wild animals, her husbands drug addiction, and extramarital affair. Also seeing how this effected their four daughters, particularly the oldest three. What I loved most about this doc, was the honesty from the interviewees. They were honest about their frustrations with all of the adults in their life. Parents, Step-Parents, everyone played a role. It's being able to be honest with yourself and understanding that our parents are flawed human beings who somehow unintentionally mess us up in the process, but we love them anyway.

Vivian's voice was never heard in her lifetime. And there's something beautiful about it coming to light now. In the hands of those who loved her. Not some Hollywood Producer looking to make millions. I really hope this film goes as far as it possibly can.

I absolutely loved this movie. Vivian was one strong woman, and I enjoyed her truth. At the end of the day through all of the pain, she was a mother and grandmother. And despite her self doubt, she was so beautiful and loved.

Just a wonderful, gracious look into who Vivian really was.. I felt like walk the line tarnished this poor woman and that it was so slanted to make her look bad, this documentary really gave a good look into who she really was.. all 4 daughters told her story without tarnishing the memory of anyone else involved.. so gracious.. you could tell they loves and respected both their mom and dad.. what a hard story to tell and they did it with pure love.. not an easy task..

Hollywood could never write a love story as pure and loving as Ms. Vivian's. This documentary brought Vivian out of the shadows that Hollywood cruelly casted on her for decades. The life Vivian endured for 13 years as Mrs. Cash was far from a glamorous one. Vivian was a woman of courage and strength. She endured so much without any support from those in the music industry. She had to figure many things out on her own and yet she was the wife of the biggest new country star, though she felt so lonely. She had no voice, no outlet and spent most of her time isolated with her four little girls. This documentary broke my heart because I could feel her pain. Though in the beginning everything was like a fairly tale and life seemed good, even though they didn't have much, they knew they had each other. As time went on and the "rags to riches" became a reality, Vivian's life sadly turned for the worst. Ms. Vivian's persona was perceived as loving, far from selfish, classy and very reserved. She truly walked the line for the one she always loved, but sadly she was left with only empty promises. Thank you to the Cash daughters for bringing their mother's story to light and for allowing Ms. Vivian to finally shine!!!

I enjoyed and appreciated the love and personal perspectives in this well made documentary. The sharing by all four daughters made this powerful story even more so. The never before seen photos and home movies put me in the intimate story. Being a Cash family appreciator was enhanced by knowing much more about Vivian and her powerful story. The love put into this film comes forward in an honest way; thank you.

As a documentary, this was a fun watch. But, there is a hypocrisy and irony to it:

This was made as a rebuff to "I Walked the Line" about Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, which painted Vivian in a rather negative light compared to June, according to many who've seen it. But, the irony is that this documentary does the same to June, paints her in a negative light, makes her seem like a home-wrecker (even though Johnny and Vivian were already having problems by the time he met June and they were already emotionally separated), and the daughters speak of her with no affection at all, even though she was their step-mom and mother to three of their siblings! They reminded me of bratty kids who scream "You're not my mother!" to a dad's new love, spoiling what could be a beautiful bond.

At one point, one of the daughters talks about a letter she found that Vivian wrote to Johnny but didn't send, wherein she had asked Johnny to please tell June to stop referring to their daughters as hers. I kinda get where she was coming from, but what she apparently failed to realize is that it's better for the kids to be embraced by the step-mom than to be rejected by her! Many step-children complain of the opposite of what Viv's kids had- and they wish their step-parents would embrace them as their own!

Speaking of step-parents, they also spoke disparagingly of their step-dad, whom Vivian stayed married to until her death! Considering that their marriage lasted until the end, it was gross to hear one of the daughters say things like "Why him?... I didn't like him very much" and making it seem like he only married Vivian for the perks of semi-celeb status! Honestly, the daughters revealed themselves to be not very likable in this. I'm surprised more people don't notice or comment on how rude they come across. The only one who really seemed nice to me was the youngest one, Tara.

I'm sure June was not trying to take the girls away from Vivian, she was just trying to love them, so that they could be one big, happy family. It's a pity that the girls don't seem to appreciate that, and instead describe her as rude, a homewrecker, etc. The hypocrisy is that their mother Vivian's 2nd husband was married when she started seeing him! So, her daughters have no room to criticize June in that regard! That being said, I am not very fond of June at all. She comes across as fake to me in interviews and such, and I don't think she should have made out like she was raising the girls if she wasn't, even for comic effect. Still though, the girls seem very callous and unloving to both their step-parents, and I find that very distasteful. In the wrong or not, they were family and should have cared more.

I do think that it's terrible that Vivian was erased by networks during the Johnny Cash Memorial tribute, and I do think she should have been more acknowledged over the years. But, I also understand that with both Johnny and Vivian having remarried, talking about the previous spouse could easily be seen and felt as disrespectful to the current one, so I totally get perhaps why she wasn't mentioned more. While people try to make it about race these days, I think it had more to do with not wanting to disrespect current spouses, and that makes total sense.

Yes, this documentary is just as slanted against June as critics say the movie "Walk the Line" is against Vivian. As long as you're objective enough to realize that, maybe you'll come away with a feel for the true story, whatever that may be.

All in all, I came away from this with very little respect left for any of them, and liking everyone a lot less. So, the doc didn't accomplish what it set out to do- at least not with me- but I know more now than I did before watching, so it wasn't a total loss. However, I rather wish I didn't. Ignorance is bliss.

Loved this documentary of Vivian. It gives us insight of everything she went through. Her daughters tells us as if we were physically there watching this unfold.

This a wonderful film! I'm so glad Vivian got the chance to tell her story.

My Darling Vivian is a wonderful, must-see documentary. I loved the old home movies and photographs and the daughters giving their account of events is priceless. If you enjoy documentaries, you will not be disappointed. The heartbreak in the film is a little sad but leaves you knowing there was also a lot of love. Thank you for sharing such a great story.

Wow, I'm in tears. It was a beautiful, heart wrenching love story. I'm not crying. 😭 I highly recommend.

What an exceptional, touching, and outstandingly produced movie. I read Vivian Cash's autobiography some years ago (please go ahead and read it!), and I am so glad that this documentary gives her the voice she deserves. The producers have really managed to portrait the life of Vivian Cash from an intimate and honest, yet always respectful perspective. The individual reflections from all her daughters left an especially big impression on me. Highly recommended!

Heartfelt but depressing. This movie is not for everyone. I suppose everyone deserves to have their story told, and Vivian Liberto is no exception. If you're looking though for a scandalous, sensational tabloid story this is not it. It's more of a celebration of the life of a woman who tried her best in a life she was never meant for.

The story is mainly told through Vivian liberto's daughters. They are fun to hear from, and they paint a vibrant picture of a good but complex woman, yet I wished at times we could have heard from people other than the family. I did appreciate Roseanne's incredible transparency on her mom's failures as a mother and as a person. I think if it hadn't been for the unfawning but sympathetic touch of truth Roseanne brought to her parents, I would have enjoyed the documentary far less.

The journey takes you through the early days of Vivian Liberto in love with a young Johnny Cash and gives you glimpses of the sweet Love letters they sent each other. We learn how the shy, insecure, sheltered young Vivian was wooed by the boyishly charming Johnny Cash. It's easy to understand why the romance meant the world to her, but the more worldly person cringes over the two only dating 3 weeks before Johnny popped the question of marriage. I'm going to say something that many people are going to hate me for. I don't think these two ever should have married. I think Vivian was more in love with Johnny than he was with her, and I think Johnny was in love to be in love in a difficult time in his life.

So they got married way too quickly and then the babies didn't stop coming. Then Johnny's dream of being a musician comes true within the first year of marriage, they barely had time to get to get reacquainted! The blame for the collapse of the marriage is placed on Johnny's drug use which really took hold in California, and I'm sure it played a big role. But it didn't take very long for Johnny to prefer traveling with his friends then being at home with the kids and Vivian, and that's when the long absences started. Not a good sign but a clear one.

As far as documentary value, it is fascinating to hear how the unprepared family suffered from the beginning of the celebrity obsession, the drug culture and the media coverage...but its disheartening as a personal story. I'm not sure I agree with a lot of people here that Vivian "made Johnny Cash." That's a bit too much credit for her. Johnny Cash had the talent, he had the charisma, he had the determination to be who he was. Was Vivian supportive? Of course and that was important. But it doesn't mean that he wouldn't have been Johnny Cash without her.

Reason why I give this documentary only four stars is the subject, Vivian Liberto, never went to therapy and the daughters make it clear she ran away emotionally from much of her pain instead of overcoming it and being successful. I was very annoyed to learn how little Vivian respected herself too. Especially over her handling of the affair with June. Any wife would be upset over her husband's affair, but neglecting your kids? Starving your body almost to the point of death? Then she rushes into another marriage, with a man who divorced his wife for Vivian, all so she won't look defeated and left behind when Johnny marries June. In her heart meanwhile, she obsesses over a man that's lost to her. That isn't love, that's idolatry.

There is an undercurrent of anger in this documentary. Anger at the media and the world for how little compassion Vivian received in life for all the pain she got. How she was tossed aside when the marriage ended. Do they think we live in a kind world? In the grand scheme of humanity, there have been millions of people who went through slavery, rape, war, childhood abuse, dangerous work conditions, things far worse than anything Vivian went through, and they were ignored their entire lives. NEVER got a documentary. Many didn't get a nice house with a pool and tons of money! A lot of people could argue that Johnny's family had a lot of privilege from life, so it seems laughable for them to fuss about how the world treated their mother. All of Cash's daughters seem to be missing some important emotional intelligence. Which is a pity, because several of them have been divorced and you would think they would also understand why it is sometimes for the best that you don't have much to do with your ex.

People today like to say about this movie "oh this is the truth" or "We should honor her truth,". When it comes to broken relationships, there is pressure in society to take the woman's side. I'm not going to. I'd also like to point out for the sake of hypocrisy, that many of these same critics who condemn Johnny for not choosing his family instead of June would support Vivian if Vivian had been the star instead of him. Many people also would support the woman, if Vivian had been the one to step out on the marriage, because "she was not happy". You can't excuse the woman's selfishness, but condemn the man's. Anyway, I can honor Vivian's perspective, because really this story is her perspective. And I'm smart enough to know that because so many things remain unknown in Johnny's life, there is a lot about him that we will never know. And Vivian cannot tell us the unknowns because she was at home most of the time.

No, it doesn't really change Walk the Line for me either. Hollywood messed up some details of Johnny and his family too. No movie is perfect.

This doc was amazing. It gives an amazing woman the defense she deserves. Be warned, Walk the Line will never be the same. Personally I'll never be able to watch walk the line again, it's so false, or at least one sided. She was an amazing wife, mother and woman who loved a man far more than he deserved.

I am selfishly grateful that SXSW released this to the general public so that I can see it now. So well done. Beautiful storytelling with home videos to complete the experience. I am so grateful to know Vivian's story and her family's stories.

To say this particular film is touching or emotional, is an understatment. Understatement... Yes everything about this film is understated, which is why it is so impressive, passionate and enduring. This is not an easy or comfortable story, but Matt Ridlehover directed a home run here. Dustin Title along with his mother and aunts tell a hard story. Vivian was a complex woman, and we all know the icon who was her husband. Dustin and Matt were able to get the real Vviain across to the viewer in an entertaining, respectful and extremely forthcoming way. To be bold, this film is not a contender for a festival prize, it is a winner. Don't take my word for it, watch My Darling Vivian and be taken on emotional journey with an amazing mother, wife and lady.

I just finished watching Matt's documentary, My Darling Vivian....about one of the greatest love stories of all time!! So much insight into Vivian's love story with Johnny Cash and the undeniable fact that their love never died. So moving and I am writing this with tears of joy and heartbreak. A must see for all fans of Johnny Cash! I recommend reading Vivian's book, I Walked The Line, written just before she passed away. Thank you for making this film, Matt Riddlehoover. Thank you to their daughters, for sharing their inner most private thoughts of their parents' lives, during their marriage and after their divorce, that could not have been easy to do. It's clear, they both loved you all so much and did the best they could with what they knew at the time. May God bless you all! I've no doubt your parents are smiling down on the beautiful family they created by loving each other.

I had been counting the days until I could see this documentary. I loved every second of it. It was a beautiful piece dedicated to a woman who was long overdue for the recognition she deserved. Watching it both uplifted me and broke my heart. It is one of my all time favorite documentaries and I loved the light it shined on her life and how hard she worked to keep her girls at the forefront. Beautiful tribute to a phenomenal woman.

This was so well done. I could not believe how fast the time went. My interest was kept from beginning to end. What a great tribute!!!!!

Vivian's story needed to be told, and this movie finally made that happen, through her daughters' recollections of their beloved mother, and many photographs, film clips, and recordings. I'm so glad I watched it!

Outstanding documentary! The film was fascinating, loving and heartbreaking told from the perspective of Johnny Cash and Vivian Liberto's children. So glad they finally got to see their mom celebrated. Thank you for telling this story.

I say untold. I thought I was knowledgeable about artists in the music industry. Evidently, I'm not as knowledgeable as I thought. This is an incredible documentary about Johnny Cash's first marriage and the mother of four of his children. They shared a fairy tale romance and a lifetime love. Johnny's first wife, Vivian's story needed to be told and it is told in this exceptional documentary. With interviews with their daughters including, Rosanne, this is a must see for fans of Johnny or Rosanne Cash, country music. Highly recommend. Available on Amazon Prime.