The Straight Story
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Movie Reviews of The Straight Story
Movie Review: My Favorite Film
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1999, one of the most unusual pairings in Hollywood history formed to make a film telling the story of Alvin Straight's odyssey: David Lynch and Walt Disney Pictures. Lynch, arguably one of film's more daring storytellers, the mind behind Eraserhead, Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks, is absolutely the very last filmmaker I would ever have believed to team with Disney, except perhaps David Cronenberg. His films often navigate the darkest waters of the human experience with an unflinching eye for images both disturbing and nightmarish, and so naturally the idea that he'd done a film for Disney, a G-rated film at that, I could scarcely believe it. And I absolutely had to see for myself what could come of this most unexpected collaboration.
The Straight Story opens with Alvin Straight (played to perfection by the late Richard Farnsworth, an actor and former stuntman whose career dated back to the 1930's), who lives in Iowa and has just learned that his estranged brother Lyle, who lives in Wisconsin, has suffered a stroke. Alvin decides that it's time to put their feud behind them and wants to visit his brother and make peace while there's still time. The problem is that Alvin no longer has a driver's license because of his failing eyesight, and his pride is too strong to allow someone to drive him or take a bus. So Alvin attaches a small trailer to his John Deere riding mower and sets off on an epic journey.
As with most road movies, much of the story is told through Alvin's encounters with people he meets along the course of his travels. Upon meeting a hitchhiking young runaway (who has a big secret she's scared to disclose to her parents), Alvin offers these words, remembering a lesson he would often give to children:
"I'd give each one of 'em a stick, one for each one of 'em, then I'd say, 'You break that.' Course they could real easy. Then I'd say, 'Tie them sticks in a bundle and try to break that.' Course they couldn't. Then I'd say, 'That bundle... that's family.'"
As the story progresses, it is through these seemingly random encounters that we learn more of Alvin's story, and how he came to be the man who is determined to complete this journey. Alvin Straight appears on the surface to be a fairly simple man, but just beneath the surface lies a different person: a man who has made mistakes and while he accepts responsibility for them, he is still haunted by the things he has done and seen over the course of a lifetime. Little by little, we are allowed to see the person inside and in doing so, we learn perhaps a little about ourselves as well. Alvin is a proud man, and yet he is the first to admit that his pride has cost him dearly over the years. He is not a perfect person, and it is clear that he struggles daily with his demons.
It is rare that a filmmaker has the confidence with actors and the trust in the audience to allow moments of quiet; moments in which the story, the emotions, and the story are told only by the actors, and yet this film is largely comprised of soft, quiet scenes that propel the story far better than any soundtrack or flashy camera tricks ever could. As Alvin grows ever closer to his destination, his encounters with strangers become more complex and in the process we learn of the heartbreak and devastation he has endured over the course of his life. In a way, Alvin's journey is one of redemption, and not only in regard to mending fences with his brother. In one incredible scene, Alvin recounts his experiences of a war many years past and I dare anyone who sees it to not shed a tear for the innocence that was brutally torn from him and the impact those nightmares still have upon him.
The film itself is paradoxical; on one hand, it is a simple film with a simple story and a small cast. On the other hand, however, it is an emotionally rich and complex film that, despite the G-rating, never panders to the audience, instead trusting that Alvin's odyssey is largely a voyage of the soul and that the truths to his humanity are so universal that there is simply no need to explain them.
In a time when so-called "family" films rely too heavily on weak stories supplanted by excessive effects work and toilet humor, The Straight Story stands high above all others, offering a story of quiet dignity, the power of perseverance, and in the hands of a truly amazing cast, it works flawlessly. And in the end we learn, as is often the case, that it is the journey and not the destination in which the greater truths are often found.
Movie Review: Wisconsin...I hear it's a real 'party' state...
Summary: 5 Stars
First, let me disclose my bias that I am a HUGE David Lynch fan. That being said, let me also say that in no way does that sway my opinion of this movie. Yeah, right. No, seriously, it doesn't. Why? Well...To begin, this is the most un-Lynchian movie D.L. has ever created. I say that with somewhat of a "grain of salt," but I think most stalwart Lynch fans will understand my meaning. This is simply unlike ANYTHING he has ever done. Period. There is definitely a linear, less-is-more, mentality in this film. It is immediately touching and kindles the very most basic humane spirit that (I would like to believe) dwells within us all.
Perhaps the subject matter is the major reason why that is the case. But simply put, this movie is wholly and completely beautiful. Every facet of the movie just drips with beauty. Whether it's the gorgeous sunrises or sunsets over the plains, or whether it's simply LISTENING to Richard Farnsworth (aka "Alvin Straight") talk as the viewer stares into a campfire...watching the flames dance around the logs thrown on top of each other. Whether its seeing the huge amount of road that lay before Alvin Straight, or whether its listening to him haggle over prices of tractor repairs or a "grabber." Every where the viewer is taken, is beautiful.
What else? My God, Harry Dean Stanton. Can I just digress for a moment and ask: "WHEN IS PARIS, TEXAS GOING TO BE RELEASED ON DVD?" The agony of going with out it (save for an extremely well-worn VHS copy) is torture. At any rate, enough of that. My point is this, Harry Dean Stanton (in the words of David Lynch) "rocks." He is an amazing actor. Pure brilliance. Even his (roughly) two minute appearance in this movie makes it that much more complete. As an aside once more, Harry Dean Stanton always reminds me of (the old, not young) Chet Baker (of trumpet-playing fame). Anyone else?
Which brings me to my next amazing person: Sissy Spacek. As always, she delivers and impeccable performance as the mildly-brain damaged daughter of Alvin Straight. Once again Ms. Spacek, kudos.
Of course, the man of the show is the late Richard Farnsworth. Many may remember him as the sheriff in Stephen King's "Misery." His performance here is just heart-stopping. He was an amazing man, who was perfectly suited for the role of Alivn Straight.
Musically, as with any Lynch film, it is beautiful. Angleo ("The Bad Angel") is here again, delivering a more restrained, yet equally capturing, score. There are very brief moments, that, just for a moment, you can hear remnants of Twin Peaks' material showing their presence (particularly in the very beginning of the film).
There are so many images that come to mind during the course of watching this film. You are drawn to a variety of mediums from Lynch's imagery. For instance, the descriptions of the plains that Willa Cather used in her book "My Antonia" came to my mind. Then, for some reason, Steve Earle's song "The Road Goes On Forever" came to mind. The ability of a director to instill (or rather, recall) memories within the viewer's mind is something that is not achieved frequently. Here, Lynch does it perfectly.
Lastly, despite the fact that this is a G rated movie, and despite the fact that Disney is behind it, it is not a children's movie. That is, it is not for kids. Older kids will appreciate the message this movie delivers. However, younger kids who just finished watching Barney or Rugrats will probably not even understand what is going on within the film.
To make a long (winded) review longer, get this film as soon as you can. The DVD (technically speaking) is beautiful and I applaud Lynch for not inserting chapter breaks. But more importantly, the film itself is beautiful and moving and will touch you permanently.
Movie Review: David Lynch can make Beautiful Movies too
Summary: 5 Stars
The Straight Story is a film about an old man named Alvin Straight who hasn't talked to his brother Lyle in ten years because they said some "unforgiving things to one another." He finds out that his estranged brother is dying and he decides to make amends and say good-bye. He drives hundreds of miles with a giant trailer attached to a lawn mower. The story is based on facts.
David Lynch is known for his cutting edge, bizarre and perplexing mysteries but when taken into account with all his other films The Straight Story (and it's unusual G-rating) should be no surprise. Lynch went from the completely off-the-wall horror Eraserhead to in my opinion one of the most touching films ever made in The Elephant Man. He is no stranger to drama and it manifests itself in varying depths in every one of his films. It often shows up in the most surprising of places. Lynch is acclaimed and credited more after Mulholland Dr., however, in many years from now he will get many of the same accolades that guys like Stanley Kubrick do now for films like this one. Lynch is a master of his craft and among the best American Directors of our time. It sounds like a bold statement now but the years will tell. I for one will argue his films are timeless.
The Straight Story unfolds at a snail's pace and plays the most straight forward formulas to the tee...I'm not saying that as a drawback but it may not be for everyone. It is the perfect environment for Lynch to show he can direct a great drama with a narrative and some older actors like Richard Farnsworth (excellent as the likeable Alvin Straight) and briefly Harry Dean Stanton as Lyle. Sissy Spaceck is also excellent as Alvin's daughter. If I were to list the most touching sequences in film for me, two come from Lynch films. One scene being when John Merrick is well received by Dr. Treves' wife in the Elephant Man, and the other being a scene from The Straight Story. The scene starts off as a sort of comical and lighthearted part in the movie where twins work on Alvin's broken down lawnmower and they fight while they are doing it. It almost seems like Lynch is being exploitative at first here, but he makes you relate tremendously and feel for these two brothers (especially if you're a twin or have a brother close in age like me). It's so simple but Lynch really has created as likeable a character as you can get in Farnsworth's Straight. Another touching scene is when Alvin is asked by a few bikers what the worst thing is about growing old and he replies "remembering when I was young" with a proud smile. Farnsworth's recent death makes this statement even harder. The comment is layered but comes off as simple like the rest of this amazing film.
Mary Sweeny and John Roach deserve just as much if not more credit for writing this screenplay. I hate giving too much credit to the director but Lynch deserves to be lauded for simply taking on such a pure and uninviting project. The films his real fans appreciate are for the most part on the other side of the spectrum. It seems risky if it were not for the fact that Lynch is pretty much famous for not giving a damn about risks. However, Lynch is the kind of filmmaker who is capable of creating the most profound kind of drama, but mostly his films are viewed as guilty of shock and not seen far beyond that. When Kubrick began creating his films I'm quite sure many people did the same thing. Lynch is a filmmaking wizard and one of these days the whole world will recognize it.
Movie Review: the character of a character actor
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not just the true story of very determined man named Alvin Straight, it is also a truly straightforward story, an unusual thing in modern movies and a real surprise coming from David Lynch. With his own mortality staring him in the face, Alvin Straight, 73 years old, decides to go visit the
once beloved brother, Lyle, from whom he has been estranged for ten years, their quarrel a product of sibling rivalry as old as the Bible and the
baleful influence of liquor. What might have been a simple enough five hour car ride becomes an epic journey when he decides to travel the 300
miles from Laurens, Iowa to Mt. Zion, Wisconsin on a riding lawnmower :
I've got to go see Lyle, and I've got to make the trip on my own.
Along the way he meets a young runaway girl; a woman who plows into a deer in front of him, apparently a near daily occurrence for her; a couple
who allow him to spend a few days with them after he fries a motor on a steep downhill grade; a fellow WWII vet tending bar; and finally a pastor in
whose cemetery he stops overnight. Over the course of the six week sojourn he slowly reveals himself and his regrets for his part in the feud that has
separated him from his brother. As he tells the pastor:
I want to sit with him and look up at the stars, like we used to, so long ago.
When finally he gets to Lyle's place, his penance done, the two do indeed sit in comfortable silence on the front porch, as the stars come up
overhead. It's the kind of speechless togetherness that only people who truly love one another are capable of maintaining and enjoying.
This is entirely Richard Farnsworth's film, a role he richly deserved after a lifetime in the movies. He began in Hollywood as a teenager in 1937,
doubled for Roy Rogers and Gary Cooper, drove a chariot in The Ten Commandments, worked as a stuntman, a role player, and only very
occasionally the lead. Farnsworth was one of the few truly conservative people left in Hollywood and maybe the only one in recent memory who
sometimes turned down films that failed to meet his own ethical standards--as regards profanity, sex, and violence. Somehow--and I've no idea
how--that integrity was etched into his face.
In the underrated movie The Big Kahuna there's a scene early on where a young man tells Danny DeVito that a secretary said he'd be easily
recognizable because his face has character. Later on there are scenes where DeVito is almost preternaturally calm and the only forward momentum
of the story is supplied by that character-filled face. Farnsworth had such a face too and that's an exceedingly rare quality in any human being, but
especially an actor, particularly in a day and age when special effects, plastic surgery, and bad scripts have made it easy to cast pleasant looking idiots
in most movie roles. Recall the scene in Sunset Boulevard when Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) says : "We had faces then". In that silent era
faces were required because they had to communicate. Today, when the films don't even bother trying to communicate anything, who cares if the
faces say anything? Well, when you see what a real face, like Farnsworth's, can convey, you'll realize what we're missing.
Fittingly, this was Richard Farnsworth's last role. Like Alvin Straight he went out on his own terms; stricken with a painful terminal cancer, he shot himself on October 6, 2000.
GRADE : A
Movie Review: The Straight Story
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are considering buying/renting/watching "The Straight Story", you should know that people are not lying when they tell you that it is nothing but an old guy (played by Richard Farnsworth) who decides to make a 300+ mile trip on his small riding lawnmower. He meets a lot of nice ordinary people, he dispenses a little sage advice, he reflects a little on his life, and nothing much happens to him. It is closely based on a real event that was newsworthy not because of what happened to Alvin Straight on his journey, but because of the human-interest angle of a guy making a journey in such a unique way.
David Lynch does a nice job of directing this Disney production, but do not expect a lot of wild expressionistic developments.
A lot of people really like this film and a lot of other people are asking, "why do people like this movie so much"? And they are the polite ones. Less polite ones are branding the film "manipulative" which seems like a strange criticism for a film. Aren't they supposed to be manipulative? Don't people watch films to be manipulated? If you insist on viewing "The Straight Story" and if you generally know what you are getting into, you should enjoy it. If you are looking for its deeper meanings I suggest that you watch it along with Monte Hellman's "Two Lane Blacktop". Both are road pictures and Alvin Straight's orientation as a young man was probably not much different than the driver (James Taylor) in that film. The difference is the stage of life in which the journey is being taken. Both have an intended destination. But for the driver in "Two Lane Blacktop" it is just a excuse to keep on the move, the highway stretches out endlessly before him and life is a journey not a destination. For Straight it is a single-minded trip that he views as his last chance to mend fences with his brother who has just had a serious stroke. It is very likely the last trip he will ever make but he does not savor the journey, he does not take satisfaction in overcoming obstacles, or even find much pleasure in his positive encounters with strangers. For him the destination is all important.
This was Farnsworth's last picture, in declining health he committed suicide by gunshot a few months after the film's release. One can't help but speculate on whether he was aware during filming that "The Straight Story" would be the final act in his long career, and how much of that realization was incorporated into his performance.
Straight's journey is a lot like that of Ned Merrill (Burt Lancaster) in "The Swimmer". Merrill got it into his head that he could restore things to how they were in his idyllic past if he could just swim home one afternoon through the backyards of his wealthy Connecticut suburb, using his neighbors' pools. Straight is not that delusional but he has come to believe that his brother will remain alive and be waiting for him as long as he stubbornly sticks to his original idea of traveling by mower.
His other motivation for insisting on this means of travel (he won't take a bus and he turns down a ride for the last 60 miles) is to demonstrate how sincerely he wants to reconcile. If you give someone a horse it will be a lot more impressive if it is your only horse and it means that now you will have to walk. To walk is part of the gift.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.