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Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton, Jane Galloway Heitz, Everett McGill ... see more see more... , Jennifer Edwards-Hughes , Barbara E. Robertson , John Farley , John Lordan , Tracey Maloney , Dan Flannery , Jack Walsh , Kevin P. Farley , Wiley Harker

David Lynch offers an uncharacteristically straightforward and warmly sentimental approach to his material in this film, based on a true story, about an elderly man's journey to reconcile with his bro... read more read more...ther. Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) is an ailing widower in his early 70's who lives in Laurens, Iowa with his daughter, Rose (Sissy Spacek), who is mildly retarded and has a speech defect. Alvin doesn't trust doctors, despite suffering from emphysema and a bad hip. Alvin learns that his brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke and may not have long to live. Alvin and Lyle haven't spoken in 10 years, which Alvin says is mainly a matter of pride and alcohol; Alvin wants to clear his slate with his brother before it's too late. However, Lyle lives in Wisconsin, and Alvin has little money, no car, and no driver's license. He does, however, have a riding lawn mower, and so Alvin hops on board and heads northeast to Wisconsin, hoping to make it while there's still time. Along the way, Alvin makes new friends and refuses to give up on his journey, despite frequent mechanical breakdowns. Richard Farnsworth's performance as Alvin earned him an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor; it would prove to be his final screen appearance, as he died a year after the film's release. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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89% liked it

29,049 ratings

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95% liked it

87 critics

G, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: David Lynch

Release Date: October 15, 1999

Keywords: road

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DVD Release Date: November 7, 2000

Stats: 1,607 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,607)

  • fb100002359227440
    April 26, 2012
    fb100002359227440
    A moving and interesting Lynch's film, a portrait about family, love and forgiven. An odyssey with rare characters and nice stories. The Straight Story could be a slow, strange (because doesn't present the characterist of a David Lynch film) and sentimental, but it's a good pictu... read morere to watch.
  • fb1664868775
    March 22, 2012
    fb1664868775
    This surprise G-rated, heartwarming family film from director David Lynch stands up to any of his surreal masterpieces. Amazing performances from Farnsworth and Sissy Spaceck and great supporting roles (including a good scene with Twin Peaks star Everett McGill). Also a uncharact... read moreeristic but outstanding score from Angelo Badelamenti.
  • ajv2688
    December 19, 2011
    ajv2688
    Is this seriously from David Lynch? I think he just put his name on it to make our heads spin. I found this film horribly boring, uninteresting, and bland. Plus it's rated G? Why? Oh I wish I could go back to 1999 and not watch this... Well, maybe if you like slow, slice of ... read morelife, old people dramas, you'll enjoy it?
  • romy861
    October 29, 2011
    romy861
    Had to let a day lapse after seeing this one so I could digest what I actually thought of it!
    I have to admit, was not overly enthralled while watching it. The story is very slight - Elderly Alvin (Richard Famsworth) wants to visit his estranged brother who has just recovered f... read morerom a stroke and whom he hasn't seen in ten years. The only problem is, he doesn't have a lot of money and with his failing eyesight he doesn't have a licence, so Alvin decides to improvise by driving his lawnmower for six weeks. This is apparently based on a true story.
    It is a Disney film, which surprised me, I think kids trying to watch this would be beside themselves with boredom - I know I certainly was at times, despite being impressed by the acting and the filming with all the shots of the country and he rode along.
    I think I appreciated this one more afterwards than at the time. It is a nice little story with a good cast and message. Just don't be expecting to be overly excited while watching it. I think this is more a film that will grow on you than one you will love instantly.
  • CloudStrife84
    October 12, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Captivating biopic by the ever-artful David Lynch. Wonderful acting from Richard Farnsworth, who is a real charmer as the stubborn and sympathetic Alvin Straight. I wish they hadn't included Sissy Spacek in the movie though. I've never liked her much as an actress, and it sure do... read moreesn't help that she has the creepy face of an alien (hell, she even has the word "space" in her last name). It's distracting in the most negative way. For a story about an old geezer traveling around on a lawnmower, however, it's a very enjoyable journey to behold. Ravishing cinematography throughout the film, and you get the sense it's the handiwork of a true perfectionist. Great effort has been put into every shot and frame, and there's real beauty to all its simplicity. I misjudged this movie by thinking it would be a bore, for although progressing at a fairly slow-going rate, the exceptional acting keeps things interesting. Moving, original and warmingly funny, The Straight Story is an experience that goes straight into the heart.
  • cosmo313
    March 28, 2011
    cosmo313
    This film is based on the true story of an elderly man who went on a road trip across a few states via a lawnmower to reconnect with his estranged brother who recently suffered a stroke. The most amazing thing, besides the odd method of transportation (explained with a solution t... read morehat actually makes sense), is the fact that this film was surprisingly a G-rated (even with a handful of mild profanity) family film through Disney directed by none other than David Lynch. Yes, THAT David Lynch. This wasn't really a stunt or anything either. I mean yes, this film proved he could make an accessible, heartwarming, and "normal" film, but it also fits in fairly nicely with his overall body of work (quirky characters, focus on small town USA, a couple of odd images).

    The music, acting, and camera work are all fantastic. The direction is pretty good too. Some diehard Lynch fans might hate this, but I think it's actually a really cool departure. I kind of want to see him make another film or two that's this easy to grasp. There is The Elephant Man, but even that is still a little odd and whatnot. Give this one a chance- it's a wonderful and charming look at America that proves that Lynch isn't completely full of crap.
  • ythelastman89
    February 11, 2011
    ythelastman89
    I feel bad picking on this movie, it's totally harmless. For once, David Lynch wanted to be earnest and make a movie about family. Granted, even this is not even close normal compared to most like it. There's nothing wrong with how it looks or the acting, it's just not a movie yo... read moreu can get into and by no means is it a memorable experience in the way that David Lynch's other work is. I think that Sissy Spacek really was the most interesting part of the whole thing, both the character she played and her performance was extremely well put together.
  • Stinger839
    January 3, 2011
    Stinger839
    I think it's more than just a stunning film; it's a breath-taking dissertation on the most traditional plot form in drama.
  • garyX
    October 29, 2010
    garyX
    David Lynch directs the true story of Alvin Straight, a man too elderly and infirm to drive who rode his sit on lawnmower across hundreds of miles to visit his estranged brother after a stroke. I must admit that this type of "inspirational" true life human drama is the kind of th... read moreing that I find about as appealing as a strangulated hernia, and if Lynch had not been directing I would have given it a wide berth. I'm glad i didn't. It's the moving tale of a man coming to terms with old age and his own mortality and allowing the things he has come to realise are unimportant to just slip away from his life. It's full of rich, beautiful imagery, accompanied by a haunting and understated soundtrack and Richard Farnsworth is superb as Straight, a man not shown as some all knowing lifestyle guru; just an old man whose long life experience has given him an unpretentious pragmatism that clears away all the bullshit of modern life. One of those films that makes you all misty without even knowing exactly why, Lynch's unsentimental approach is devoid of all the kind of emotional manipulation and saccharine that usual accompanies this kind of thing and as such has a far greater impact. A beautifully understated film.
  • fb619846742
    August 7, 2010
    fb619846742
    A simple, touching story story concerning a stubborn 73-year old man (Richard Farnsworth) with all kinds of health problems, who embarks on a 300 mile lawnmower-riding journey to see his ailing brother one last time. What could have come across as a "Hallmark" movie instead feels... read more genuinely felt. Lynch does the right thing by not including any of his trademark stylistic flashes, instead he decides to tell an emotional story with no punches pulled. The supporting actors, especially Spacek, do what's required of them, but it's Farnsworth (who filmed this movie while battling cancer that eventually led to his suicide a year later) who is so remarkable here. It takes a special actor to work through an immense amount of pain and the threat of dying (only John Cazale from "The Deer Hunter" comes to mind), but luckily for us, Farnsworth was able to make this film. Although not as moving as "The Elephant Man" and not as memorable as "Mulholland Drive", this is definitely one of Lynch's best films.

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Critic Reviews

David Edelstein
January 15, 2002
David Edelstein, Slate

Lynch has slowed the world down and gotten back in touch with it. Full Review

David Hunter
May 11, 2001
David Hunter, Hollywood Reporter

Another pleasant surprise.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Lynch paces the film beautifully. Full Review

Louis B. Parks
January 1, 2000
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle

One of cinema's most charming actors. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

A slow-moving, folksy-looking, profoundly spiritual film. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
January 1, 2000
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

At the center of this film's luminous vision is its perfectly cast star. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
January 1, 2000
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

A beautiful and surprisingly gentle film. Full Review

Kevin Maynard
January 1, 2000
Kevin Maynard, Mr. Showbiz

Lynch and legendary cinematographer Freddie Francis have crafted a hauntingly lovely mise-en-scène.

Peter Howell
January 1, 2000
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

There could be no finer casting choices than Farnsworth and Spacek.

Elizabeth Weitzman
January 1, 2000
Elizabeth Weitzman, Film.com

Exalted work from cinematographer Freddie Francis.

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    • Lyle: Did you ride that thing all the way out here to see me?
    • Alvin Straight: I did, Lyle.
    • Alvin Straight: There's no one knows your life better than a brother that's near your age. He knows who you are and what you are better than anyone on earth. My brother and I said some unforgivable things the last time we met, but, I'm trying to put that behind me... and this trip is a hard swallow of my pride. I just hope I'm not too late... a brother's a brother.
    • Alvin Straight: I'd give each one of 'em a stick and, one for each one of 'em, then I'd say, 'You break that.' Course they could real easy. Then I'd say, 'Tie them sticks in a bundle and try to break that.' Course they couldn't. Then I'd say, 'That bundle... that's family.'
    • Dorothy: What's the number for 911?
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The Straight Story Trivia

  • Glenn: Let me get this straight, you snuck out of the house in the middle of the night to clean up graffiti? That's an amazing story.  Answer »
  • The Straight Story by David Lynch is based on the true story of Alvin Straight's 240-mile journey across Iowa. Alvin, who was 73 years old, made it on a:  Answer »
  • *** Which David Lynch Film is Based Upon A True Story of One Man And His Mower***  Answer »
  • The Straight Story, Wild at Heart, Dune and Inland Empire are all films directed by...  Answer »
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