The Straight Story Movie Review 1999

Surprisingly sweet true story from the generally eccentric Lynch. Septugenarian Alvin Straight (Farnsworth), who lives in Iowa, is determined to visit his ailing, estranged brother Lyle (Stanton) even though he can no longer drive a car. So, he hitches a small trailer to his riding mower and heads off at a stately 6 miles per hour--to Wisconsin (a 300 mile trip). Alvin realizes this is his last chance at both freedom and family and he's determined to make the most of it. Farnsworth plays Straight as a gruff, straight-talking old geezer and there's little or no sentimentality involved.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 111 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

True Stories, Growing Older, Road Trip

Screenplay

John Roach

Cast

Richard Farnsworth, Harry Dean Stanton, Sissy Spacek

Cinematography

Freddie Francis

Director

David Lynch

Music

Angelo Badalamenti

Producer

Alain Sarde, Mary Sweeney, Buena Vista

Awards

Ind. Spirit 2000: Actor (Farnsworth); N.Y. Film Critics 1999: Actor (Farnsworth), Cinematog.