8.0/10
82,380
455 user 165 critic

The Straight Story (1999)

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

Director:

David Lynch
Reviews
Popularity
3,670 ( 178)
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 18 wins & 39 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

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

Seventy-three year old Alvin Straight is a simple living and stubborn man who lives on his social security. He needs to do things on his own terms. He is in failing health. Both his hips are shot, which requires him to use two canes to walk. He is diabetic. He has emphysema from years of smoking. And he has poor eyesight. Beyond the obvious maladies, he doesn't tell his mentally disabled daughter Rose, who lives with him, of many of these issues. He learns that his brother Lyle Straight, from who he has been estranged for ten years, has just suffered a heart attack. Because of both his and Lyle's mortality, Alvin wants to make peace with his brother before it's too late, which means traveling from his home in the rural town of Laurens, Iowa to Lyle's home in rural Mount Zion, Wisconsin. As with other issues in his life, he needs to make the trip on his own terms, which means on his own. As he doesn't possess a driver's license and since his eyesight is bad, he decides to make the trip... Written by Huggo

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

In life, what are the things that really matter? See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally Chris Farley was going to be in the movie with his brothers. But sadly passed away in 1997 before he could get the chance. See more »

Goofs

Alvin is shown crossing the Mississippi River at Lansing heading westward (into Iowa), instead of eastward into Wisconsin. See more »

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

Walt Disney Pictures Presents: A film by David Lynch See more »


Soundtracks

Solo Spin Out
Written and Performed by The Radio Ranch Straight Shooters
By Arrangement with Roger and Julie Music
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User Reviews

 
An absolutely gorgeous film
17 February 2002 | by trimmtrabb620See 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.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

France | UK | USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1999 (Canada) See more »

Also Known As:

Une histoire vraie See more »

Filming Locations:

Clermont, Iowa, USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$92,312, 17 October 1999

Gross USA:

$6,203,044

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,416,325
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
See full technical specs »

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