The Straight Story (1999)

Directed by David Lynch; produced by Neal Edelstein and Mary Sweeney

When he learns that his estranged brother, Lyle, has had a stroke, Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) determines to visit him, and heal old wounds. The trouble is that Lyle lives 240 miles away; Alvin is in his seventies and not in good health himself. Due to this, he can’t get his driver’s licence renewed. His spirit of independence means that he won’t have anyone else transport him. His solution to this problem is to drive his riding lawnmower all the way to see his sibling.

Anyone who is familiar with director Lynch’s work, whether they like it or not, knows that each project is unpredictable, and each result unusual. He cannot be called a conventional director or writer. But if one is expecting something like the self-indulgent and ultimately nonsensical Lost Highway, or the intriguingly nightmarish Mulholland Drive, one will be disappointed. This is a Lynch film for non-Lynch fans. It is as conventional as possible for Lynch, yet is heartwarming, rewarding and satisfying.

One might think, given the description in the first paragraph, that The Straight Story is a comedy. While it has humorous moments, it is a drama, a very human drama, depicting a fully realised character.

The story is episodic, with a climax too unexciting to be called such, yet just the sort of ending the movie should have. The scenes depict the various people Alvin encounters on his six or seven week long odyssey. We learn about Alvin, and others, during these encounters; slowly, and only under certain circumstances, he tells people of himself, his past and his beliefs; one gathers that he feels he can reveal himself to strangers whom he likely will never see again. Memorable moments include shared reminiscences with a fellow war veteran, and, amid a bicyclists’ encampment, a great truth about growing old.

The dialogue is realistic, and one wonders if the screenwriters provided, at least in Farnsworth’s case, more guidance than script, for his words seem to come from a man rather than a page. That The Straight Story is based on fact doesn’t ensure that Alvin’s quest will meet with success; that his success is less important – to the viewer – than his attempt is a tribute to the involvement the film creates.

At the movie’s heart is Farnsworth, in his final rôle. He had two careers in movies: as a stuntman, and as an actor, the latter not beginning until he was in his forties. His characters are always down-to-earth, quiet and sensible, usually friendly and intelligent, in a folksy sort of way. That is Alvin Straight. There is no delusion to this man: he knows he may be doing something foolish, riding a lawnmower across the American Mid-west, but, once he decides to do it, he will give it his best.

All the supporting actors are natural in their parts; many of them are unknowns who could be residents of the locations where the film was shot. There are a few exceptions, such as Sissy Spacek - who plays Alvin’s daughter, Rose – and Harry Dean Stanton.

The direction is, coming from Lynch, almost deliberately ordinary. There are no tricks or cleverness to detract from the story, from the scenery, from the characters. Lynch knows his material, and its value.

The Straight Story is an entertaining, slow, gentle tale of a man making what is probably the last journey of his life, but one which he knows is worth the effort. This movie, too, is worth the effort.