The Straight Story (1999)

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

Director:

David Lynch

Writers:

John Roach, Mary Sweeney

Stars:

Sissy Spacek, Jane Galloway Heitz, Joseph A. Carpenter

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 16 wins & 28 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sissy Spacek	...	Rose
Jane Galloway Heitz	...	Dorothy
Joseph A. Carpenter	...	Bud
Donald Wiegert	...	Sig
Richard Farnsworth	...	Alvin
Tracey Maloney	...	Nurse
Dan Flannery	...	Doctor Gibbons
Jennifer Edwards-Hughes	...	Brenda
Ed Grennan	...	Pete
Jack Walsh	...	Apple
Max the Wonder Dog	...	Farm Dog
Gil Pearson	...	Bus Driver
Barbara June Patterson	...	Woman on Bus
Everett McGill	...	Tom the John Deere Dealer
Anastasia Webb	...	Crystal

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.

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Plot Keywords:

lawn mower | iowa | wisconsin | cane | tractor | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site (French) Polish official site

Country:

France UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 November 1999 (France)

Also Known As:

Una historia sencilla

Filming Locations:

Clermont, Iowa, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£48,410 (UK) (3 December 1999)

Gross:

$6,197,866 (USA) (21 April 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Asymmetrical Productions, Canal+, Channel Four Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film will be known as the last starring roles of two well-known and respected actors, Everett McGill and Richard Farnsworth. Everett McGill seems to have retired from the film business, while Richard Farnsworth died of an alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the film was released.

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Goofs

Alvin tells his hosts that he has been on the road for more than five weeks, and he still has some distance to go at that point of the film. However, the total distance from Laurens, Iowa to Mt. Zion, Wisconsin is 377 miles according to Google maps. With his lawnmower going at an estimated speed of at least 3 miles per hour and Alvin driving a moderate 10 hours per day, this would get him to his destination in less than two weeks.

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to the Alvin Straight family

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Connections

Referenced in Psych: Viagra Falls (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Y'Ready"
Written by Spade Cooley
Performed by The Radio Ranch Straight Shooters
Published by Chappell & Co. (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Lyrical love poem of a movie.

The Straight Story is a multilevel exploration of the goodness and beauty of America. At one level a slow walk through the heartland, it's kind inhabitants, and amber grain, at another level about growing old and remembering what is important(and actively forgetting what isn't). David Lynch gives us time in this movie and helps me to remember that so much can be said with silence. A remarkable movie that will rest gently with me for some time to come.