Reviews
The Straight Story (1999)
David Lynch’s name in movies is usually associated with disturbing and bizarre content. But The Straight Story (1999) is a movie where he switches gear and takes viewers on a heart-warming journey of an aging man traveling across state lines on a John Deere.
Based on Alvin Straight’s real-life 1994 journey from Iowa to Wisconsin on a John Deere lawnmower to see his stroke-stricken brother, The Straight Story presents the true humanistic journey of overcoming physical, social, and emotional challenges. Alvin, an aging World War 2 veteran, is not allowed to drive due to his poor vision and bad legs. But when he learns that his brother in Wisconsin, with whom he has not been on speaking terms for many years, had a stroke, Alvin decides to break the barriers of disability and ego. He gets on his new John Deere to travel all the way to see his brother while he still can.
The movie breaks from Lynch’s favorite mode of storytelling that involves violence, sex, the paranormal, and other disturbing content seen in his earlier works like Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Fire Walk With Me, Lost Highway, etc. In the book Lynch on Lynch, David Lynch shares that he couldn’t believe when the MPAA called to tell him that The Straight Story got a G rating – not something he’s been used to hearing.
Richard Farnsworth, who played Alvin Straight, himself had been diagnosed with cancer when he took the role at age 79 – a landmark role for his time and one that he fits perfectly. While there are young supporting characters in the movie, it’s mainly Farnsworth or other middle-aged to older people who share the emotional turns in his journey ending at his brother’s house. One thing audiences don’t see in the movie are negative characters. It’s a movie of ordinary but all good people.
The Straight Story is for those who love peace and humanity. It shows the best of both and arguably the best of David Lynch’s directorial expertise. A not-to-miss two hours of entertainment and inspiration for all ages.
IMDb page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166896/
 is a movie where he switches gear and takes viewers on a heart-warming journey of an aging man traveling across state lines on a John Deere. Based on Alvin Straight’s real-life 1994 journey from Iowa to Wisconsin […])
