David Lynch called this “my most experimental movie.” Ha! To be sure it’s the odd one out in his filmography, and aptly named. It’s the true story of Alvin Straight, a septuagenarian in Iowa who decided to visit his ailing brother in Wisconsin. Not having a valid driving license, he opts to make the near 400km journey on his lawnmower, maxium speed 5 mph.
Written and produced by Mary Sweeney, Lynch’s longtime editor and collaborator, The Straight Story is a movie of graceful stoicism and simplicity, a modern midWestern that reminds us of the best of America.
There’s not much drama here but a great deal of life, learning, and overcoming. The kindness of strangers and love of family are what this movie is about.
4/4 Roger Ebert
Sometimes a director’s best film and maybe even their most characteristic, if you really think about it, is the one you might least expect.
Kat Sachs, Chicago Reader
A slow-moving, folksy-looking, profoundly spiritual film.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Media Partner
David Lynch
Richard Farnsworth, Harry Dean Stanton, Sissy Spacek
USA
1999
English
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Credits
Executive Producer
Pierre Edelman, Michael Polaire
Producer
Neal Edelstein, Mary Sweeney
Screenwriter
John Roach, Mary Sweeney
Cinematography
Freddie Francis
Editor
Mary Sweeney
Original Music
Angelo Badalamenti
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