The Straight Story
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Movie Reviews of The Straight Story
Movie Review: Simpler than
Summary: 5 Stars
No snake skin jackets. No Micheal J. Anderson. No Black Lodge. No Hollywood. No deformed Englishmen. No angels under the radiator. No Kyle MacLachlan. No sci-fi spectaculars. No Marilyn Manson cameos. No identity swapping. No "I have your disease in me now." Yes, sir, this is not your typical David Lynch film. The first time I saw this, I was blown away by the almost void of idiosynchcrasies. There is the occasional "party" reference to remind you that you are still watching a film by THE David Lynch but it is mostly just there to tell a most unusual true story about brotherly love and devotion. This is Lynch's first true story film since "Elephant Man" and may be his best overall production since. Before this, people said his strongest, most put-together film was "Blue Velvet," but now it has been replaced with this gem. It contains the final performance of Richard Farnsworth (who, I think, SHOULD have won the OSCAR that year. Sorry, Mr. Spacey). And marks the first time the wonderful Sissy Spacek (who has worked with Lynch since "Eraserhead") has acted for Lynch as Alvin Straight's most secretive daughter. Though most Lynch devotees will be bored senseless while waiting for things to get "wierd," most viewers content with watching G-rated, Disney-distributed films will find inspiration and enjoyment at watching the old man go all of that way, even if Lynch might be discreetly mocking him at times (just look at that shot of Alvin going only abut five yards after fifteen seconds when the camera goes up and comes down on him). The Badalamenti music (see, this film isn't so unusual for Lynch, after all) is also top-notch, even if if it doesn't always mix with the final picture completely at times. Overall, a triumph for Lynch and its actors. This deserves to become a family classic!
Movie Review: A slice of life
Summary: 5 Stars
The Straight Story is a simple, yet beautifully told story that is a slice of life not only because it is true but because it deals with themes and topics that we can all relate to. Family, conflict, forgiveness, and the passing of time are all topics that we know about. After watching this movie I have a newfound respect for David Lynch.Richard Farnsworth puts on a Oscar caliber performance as he sets out on a lawnmower to visit his ailing brother. To some people that may sound stupid and boring but as you begin to watch the movie as Alvin embarks on his journey across state you begin to embark with him on this life changing experience. For some, the movie at times may seem to be a bit slow but this is rather unfortunate because we are so used to action, explosions, and special effects that we rarely watch movies that are as deep as The Straight Story.
Set in the midwest, (Iowa I believe) the cinematography and scenery takes your breath away. Also, the soundtrack is just as beautiful.
In The Straight Story Richard Farnsworth shows us that simplicity is what life is all about. We as Americans get way to caught up in the hustle and bustle of our lives and careers that we forget to slow down and focus on the more simple things in life like family, relationships, and taking back the time that has been lost.
This is a movie that will move you and change your life and will have you moved to tears in many parts. It's too bad that this movie didn't get the attention that it deserved when it was released in theatres because it truly is a hidden treasure. I have been waiting so long for this to come out on DVD and I am so happy that I will finally be able to own this great movie on DVD. Experince a slice of life and get The Straight Story.
Movie Review: Remembrance of things past
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Straight Story" is a true story about a 73 year old man who drove 300 miles on a riding lawnmower to visit his estranged brother who has just had a stroke. Why did he ride a lawnmower? Well, as he tells almost everyone who asks in the movie, his eyesight is bad and he doesn't' have a drivers license. Alvin Straight is opinionated, pigheaded and cantankerous - he is not a particularly intelligent man but when he speaks, his carefully chosen words speak volumes about life. He meets many people along his five-week journey and along the way, he ruminates about mistakes he made in his life, human nature as well as the wisdom and downfalls of old age. Above all, he dispenses common sense, especially to those in need of it.Like Alvin's character, this is a simple film, brilliantly filmed by director David Lynch, but one that will stick with you long after the final credits. Richard Farnsworth received a well deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (he committed suicide one year later after being diagnosed with terminal cancer). Sissy Spacek is, as always, wonderful as Alvin's daughter, a semi-retarded woman who herself lives in the shadow of a devastating secret. But all of the actors in this film are great, even the ones who only have brief scenes. The cinematography is wonderful as well with the camera sweeping across the prairies and plains of the Mid-West.
It may come as a surprise that this film was made by David Lynch, the director who has made such unconventional films as "Blue Velvet," "Naked Lunch," and the tv series "Twin Peaks." For those familiar with his work, it may seem unbelievable that this is the same David Lynch, but it shows the true mark of a gifted and versatile filmmaker.
Movie Review: THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER MADE!
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie touched my soul! It is one of the most heartwarming movies that you could ever see! It is the real deal, about real, regular people.
Alvin was a very wise man, I admire people like Alvin Straight! My favorite scenes was watching Alvin's friend with his ROLLED UP BREECHES LEGS, walking to Alvin's house to check on Alvin!, And the way Alvin's friend drove Alvin and Rose to the doctor's office, THAT WAS A TRUE CLASSIC MOMENT! And I loved the way Alvin touched people's hearts, that he met on his long journey.
This movie brought tears to my eyes several times, it is so heartfelt, and so touching! This movie is about a old man, who can no longer drive, so instead, he likes to drive his lawnmower. When Alvin finds out that his brother has had a stroke, Alvin feels compelled to visit him, and Alvin decides to drive his lawnmower on the long journey to see his brother.
If you are a soldier, or a veteran soldier who came home from the war, a certain part of this movie will touch your soul! My tears just started falling, as usual!
I loved the kindness that was shown to Alvin from other people who where perfect strangers, and I loved the kindness that Alvin returned to them! And I loved learning about Alvin, and finding out what kind of man he was, and he was not one for talking about himself, either.
The scene at the end of the movie touched my heart, the acting was awesome! Infact, every actor in this movie was outstanding, absolutely everyone in this movie did a outstanding job of acting! Awesome, and wonderful! I highly recommend this movie, and I will watch this movie again!
Movie Review: Adreno-crazed speed frenzy
Summary: 5 Stars
'High concept' is a term usually used to describe blockbuster films with plots that can be summarised in one line, preferably five words long. 'Old man drives lawnmower to meet striken brother' sums up 'The Straight Story', but doesn't really do it justice. Basically a long meditation on growing old, it's a slow-moving road movie that nonetheless remains riveting from start to finish, like a cross between 'Koyaanisqatsi' and 'Wild at Heart'. It's also the only film in which Harry Dean Stanton looks relatively young. Richard Farnsworth's performance in the lead role is excellent and understated, although it's hard to separate the character from Farnsworth (who was suffering from terminal cancer, and who took his own life shortly after the film was released) himself. Faults? Lynch keeps his surrealistic instincts in check most of the time, but they burst out in a pointless scene with a woman who keeps crashing her car into deer. And a later scene, in which Farnsworth walks into a bar and has a beer and some emotional catharsis, seems a bit abrupt and contrived. But that's just being mean. This a great film, one well worth seeing, with a superb soundtrack from Angelo Badalamenti. It harkens back to a short period in the very early-70s when Hollywood produced low-budget, small-scale gems, and gives you faith in cinema again. If there is a cinematic opposite of 'New Jack City', this is it. As for the DVD, you just get a trailer and subtitles, and it's in proper widescreen. The dark bits - and there are quite a few dark bits, as the film takes place partly at night - are sometimes a bit jagged and blocky, but the picture and sound are otherwise fine.