The Straight Story
Reviewed by: Christopher Heyn
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Good |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Family |
| Genre: | Biography Docudrama |
| Length: | 1 hr. 52 min. |
| Year of Release: | 1999 |
| USA Release: |
November 1, 1999 |
Brothers who had fallen out and not spoken in ten years
Importance of family and forgiveness
World War II veteran
300-plus miles drive using a John Deere lawn tractor from Laurens, Iowa to Mount Zion, Wisconsin
Importance of reconciliation
For a follower of Christ, what is LOVE—a feeling, an emotion, or an action?
| Featuring |
Richard Farnsworth … Alvin Sissy Spacek … Rose Harry Dean Stanton … Lyle Everett McGill … Tom the John Deere Dealer See all » |
| Director | David Lynch |
| Producer |
Neal Edelstein Mary Sweeney The Straight Story Inc. See all » |
| Distributor |
A G-rated inspirational Disney movie from director David Lynch? Who would have thought?
Well, believe it or not, the director of such disturbing and twisted films as “Blue Velvet”, “Wild at Heart” and “Lost Highway” (not to mention the bizarre TV series “Twin Peaks”) has created not only the most uplifting and compassionate movie of his career, but also one of the finest films of the year.
“The Straight Story” is based on the real-life journey of Alvin Straight, a 73-year old resident of Laurens, Iowa who decided to go visit his brother Lyle in Mount Zion, Wisconsin after learning he suffered a stroke. Problem was, Alvin had no driver’s license and could not drive a car; neither was he willing to be driven, fly, or take a bus. Being a cantankerous old World War II veteran who still mowed his lawn, worked around the house, and smoked cigars against doctor’s orders, Alvin decided to build a trailer, fill it with weeks worth of food and supplies, and hook it up to his lawn mower… with which he planned to drive the 300-plus miles across state lines. Despite Alvin’s age and physical limitations, the uncertain weather, and numerous mechanical problems, he eventually reached his destination.
In God’s sight, it is totally unacceptable for a Christian to refuse to forgive others. Remember the parable of the master who forgave a guilty man who owed him an amount so enormous that he could never hope to pay it back? The master completely forgave him. But, afterward, that forgiven man roughly grabbed another who owed him a very small amount, and allowed him no time to repay—showed him no mercy—and threw him into prison. When the master heard of this, he was FURIOUS and his punishment was swift.
In that parable, the Master represents God. And the forgiven man represents you—if you have similarly FAILED to forgive another, when Christ’s blood has paid your unpayable debt to God, and He has forgiven you for everything you have ever done wrong—and for your continuing failures to do everything that is truly right and good.
Therefore, we have a responsibility to be humble, forgiving, loving servants of God.
“In a word, live together in the forgiveness of your sins, for without it no human fellowship…can survive. Don’t insist on your rights, don’t blame each other, don’t judge or condemn each other, don’t find fault with each other, but accept each other as you are, and forgive each other every day from the bottom of your hearts…” —Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison
However, what gives “The Straight Story” its power is not merely the amazing-but-true event that inspired the film, but the reason why Alvin decided to make the trip in the first place. Alvin and his brother Lyle had a falling out and had not spoken in ten years, so when Alvin hears of Lyle’s stroke, it causes Alvin to re-evaluate their behavior towards one another. The lengths Alvin goes in order to achieve reconciliation are inspiring, and through his unorthodox journey, we are reminded of the importance of family relationships, the need for unconditional love, and the power of forgiveness. Christians, starved for quality movies that uplift moral virtues, will rejoice after viewing this film.
Veteran character actor Richard Farnsworth is given the role of a lifetime in Alvin Straight, and gives a luminous, Oscar-worthy performance that holds the entire film together. Sissy Spacek plays his daughter, a woman that is assumed to be mentally deficient because of a strong speech impediment, but is actually smarter than she appears. Short of Harry Dean Stanton, who plays Lyle, and “Twin Peaks” veteran Everett McGill, who plays the farm equipment salesman who sells Alvin the lawnmower he uses to make his journey, every other actor in the cast is an unknown, but director Lynch manages to pull heartfelt performances from all of them.
Because of its G rating, “The Straight Story” contains nothing remotely offensive, but is still in many ways a typical David Lynch movie.
The film has its share of oddball characters, a couple of scenes that make you wonder whether to shudder or laugh, and long, slow camera movements that hover over minor details. The ever-obsessive Lynch even filmed “The Straight Story” along the exact same route traversed by the real Alvin Straight. Still, the compassion that Lynch has for his characters clearly shines through, and the film’s messages are delivered subtly and gently, without preaching.
The spare but sweeping musical score by long-time Lynch collaborator Angelo Badalamenti is another notable highlight.
While younger children may be bored by the film’s gentle pacing, “The Straight Story” is a wonderful film for anyone, regardless of age, making this a definite must-see for the entire family. Let’s hope it gets the attention it deserves come Oscar time.
The bottom line message emphasizes the importance of family and forgiveness, and it’s delivered in a manner that allows you to reflect on your own life as well. One may notice, though, the use of the word “h*ll” by one of Alvin Straight’s friends. This surprised my wife and I in a “G” rated movie. All in all, plan to relax and enjoy a great film delivered in a way that doesn’t shock the senses. [3½/4]
I have been hypnotised by all his movies, but “Wild at Heart” and “Fire Walk With Me” seemed to wallow in the sleaze a bit too much for my taste. “Lost Highway” was fantastic—though strictly for adults—but left most viewer perplexed—a very symbolic film whose plot, the unsuspecting viewer does not know—is a never ending loop of a killer hiding from his doom. Now comes his latest, “The Straight Story”—its title playing off its lead character’s name and the style of storytelling the film would utilize.
I won’t tell what “The Straight Story” is about except “get out yer hankerchiefs.” Bravo, David Lynch, this is your best since “Eraserhead”. I see Academy Award nominations for Lynch as director and Richard Farnsworth nominated and winning for actor if there is any justice in Hollywood, which, of coarse there isn’t. Everyone, especially Christians should see this movie. It is almost an evangelical experience. My Ratings: [4½/5]