The Straight Story (Full Frame)
"The Sweetest And Most Compassionate Movie Lynch Has Ever Made." -Chicago Tribune
Based on the true story that captured the hearts of America, The Straight Story is one of those rare films offering powerful, uplifting entertainment for audiences of all ages. Directed by acclaimed, two-time Academy Award nominee David Lynch (Wild At Heart, Twin Peaks), this gentle, inspiring film celebrates the human spirit.
Academy Award nominee Richard Farnsworth (Misery, The Natural) stars as Alvin Straight -- a no-nonsense man who has never been one to lean on others. Now at an age when his eyesight denies him the ability to drive, and walking is accomplished only with the help of two canes, Alvin lives a quiet life with his daughter Rose (Academy Award winner Sissy Spacek). But when the call comes that Alvin's estranged brother, Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton, The Green Mile), has suffered a debilitating stroke, Alvin embarks on a dangerous and emotional journey to make amends. With little money, but plenty of patience and tenacity, he climbs aboard his 1966 John Deere lawnmower and plots the 260-mile course from his small Iowa town to Lyle's home in Wisconsin.
Filmed along the actual route that the real Alvin Straight traveled in 1994, The Straight Story is a heartwarming and poignant drama chronicling Alvin's six-week odyssey and the many lives he touches along the way.
Member Reviews
Left Me Inspired - Aurora
Keep the tissue at hand. This story allows one to understand a deep pain that the protagonist feels due to a unresolved rift between himself and his brother. It is a story of aging, marginalization, but also of deep love and devotion against the odds. The fact that the film is based on a true story is even more inspiring, and left me contemplating unhealed issues in my own life.It's Different - mscriteeq
This is a slow moving story for a reason -there is no rush whenyou are taking 5 weeks to traviel 300 miles. This left my husband and I with plenty to think abou; the determination of the man, his interactions with others and his patience. Any other person would have figured out a way to get a ride, but for whatever his personal reason was, he had to go on his own. Considering the slow pace, there was a lot of suspence. You are never really sure of the outcome or what is going to happen along the way. He leaves himself so vulnerable it creates tension in itself. Not for everyone, this movie is a character film.Slow and sappy - petpesie
This movie was very very slow. Although the film was beautifully shot, I found it unable to make up for the manipulatively sappy story. I don't need action every minute or two to be satisfied, but this film contains long scenes of nothing for no reason apparent to this reviewer other than to appreciate the rolling farm fields. This story is much more at home as a feel-good magazine article than a full-length feature film.
Member Reviews
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Left Me Inspired - Aurora
Keep the tissue at hand. This story allows one to understand a deep pain that the protagonist feels due to a unresolved rift between himself and his brother. It is a story of aging, marginalization, but also of deep love and devotion against the odds. The ...It's Different - mscriteeq
This is a slow moving story for a reason -there is no rush whenyou are taking 5 weeks to traviel 300 miles. This left my husband and I with plenty to think abou; the determination of the man, his interactions with others and his patience. Any other person ...Slow and sappy - petpesie
This movie was very very slow. Although the film was beautifully shot, I found it unable to make up for the manipulatively sappy story. I don't need action every minute or two to be satisfied, but this film contains long scenes of nothing for no reason apparent ...