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The Straight Story (1999)

G  |   |  Biography, Drama  |  3 November 1999 (France)
8.0
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Ratings: 8.0/10 from 60,704 users   Metascore: 86/100
Reviews: 414 user | 142 critic | 32 from Metacritic.com

An old man makes a long journey by lawn-mover tractor to mend his relationship with an ill brother.

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 35 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Jane Galloway Heitz ...
Dorothy
Joseph A. Carpenter ...
Bud
Donald Wiegert ...
Sig
...
Tracey Maloney ...
Nurse
Dan Flannery ...
Jennifer Edwards-Hughes ...
Brenda
Ed Grennan ...
Pete
Jack Walsh ...
Apple
Max the Wonder Dog ...
Gil Pearson ...
Bus Driver
Barbara June Patterson ...
Woman on Bus
...
Anastasia Webb ...
Crystal
Edit

Storyline

"The Straight Story" chronicles a trip made by 73-year-old Alvin Straight from Laurens, Iowa, to Mt. Zion, Wis., in 1994 while riding a lawn mower. The man undertook his strange journey to mend his relationship with his ill, estranged, 75-year-old brother Lyle. Written by Christian Sandberg

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| |

Language:

Release Date:

3 November 1999 (France)  »

Also Known As:

The Straight Story  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$92,312 (USA) (15 October 1999)

Gross:

$6,197,866 (USA) (21 April 2000)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The director, David Lynch coined The Straight Story as his "most experimental movie". See more »

Goofs

Early in the film it was established that it is "harvest time". As Alvin is on his journey a slew of bicyclists pass him and later he motors into their camp. The only explanation for this event would be RAGBRAI, which happens in mid-late July. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Dorothy: Hi Rose.
Rose 'Rosie' Straight: Hi Dorothy.
Alvin Straight: [can be heard collapsing inside his house]
See more »

Crazy Credits

Special thanks to the Alvin Straight family See more »

Connections

Referenced in E=mc2 (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

Solo Spin Out
Written and Performed by The Radio Ranch Straight Shooters
By Arrangement with Roger and Julie Music
See more »

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User Reviews

 
An absolutely gorgeous film
17 February 2002 | by (Brooklyn, NY) – See all my reviews

I have always been a fan of David Lynch and with this film Lynch proved to critics that he has the talent, style, and artistic integrity to make films outside of the surreal aura that he's become known for in the past decade. As much as the film is G-rated, it's pure Lynch in style, pacing, and tone. The film moves at a masterfully hypnotic pace and is filled with scenes of genuine emotion and power.

The cinematography is terrific, as is to be expected from a Lynch film, and the transitional montage sequences are breathtaking. It's also very refreshing to see a film where the characters are all friendly, kindhearted folk and not unmotivated characters that are clearly labeled as being either "good" or "evil".

Richard Farnsworth turns in a beautiful performance as do the rest of the cast, most notably Sissy Spacek in an endearing performance as his daugher, and Harry Dean Stanton in a small but infinitely crucial role.

With this film, David Lynch proved to critics that he could make a powerful moving motion picture just like he did in the 80's with 'Blue Velvet' and 'The Elephant Man'. Critics seemed to lose faith in the past decade after he produced such surreal films as 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me' and 'Lost Highway' but with this film he showed that there was method to FWWM and LH, and it looks as if critics finally caught on with his recent film 'Mulholland Drive', considering the high praise it's received and the Oscar nomination for Lynch.

'Straight Story' is to me one of the most moving motion pictures I've ever seen. It's a loving story about family, friendship, and the kindness of strangers. I would highly recommend it.


74 of 88 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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