The Straight Story (1999)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

David Lynch

Writers:

John Roach (written by) &
Mary Sweeney (written by)

Release Date:

3 November 1999 (France)

Genre:

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Iowa | Tractor | Lawn Mower | Cemetery | Nature

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 12 wins & 28 nominations

Cast

Sissy Spacek	...	Rose 'Rosie' Straight
Jane Galloway Heitz	...	Dorothy, Straight's Next-Door Neighbor (as Jane Galloway Heitz)
Joseph A. Carpenter	...	Bud
Donald Wiegert	...	Sig
Richard Farnsworth	...	Alvin Straight
Tracey Maloney	...	Nurse
Dan Flannery	...	Doctor Gibbons
Jennifer Edwards-Hughes	...	Brenda, the Grocery Clerk
Ed Grennan	...	Pete
Jack Walsh	...	Apple
Max the Wonder Dog	...	Farm Dog
Gil Pearson	...	Sun Ray Tours Bus Driver
Barbara June Patterson	...	Woman on Bus
Everett McGill	...	Tom the John Deere Dealer
Anastasia Webb	...	Crystal

Also Known As:

Une histoire vraie (France)

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

France | UK | USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Italy:T | Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Québec) | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia) | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:I | Ireland:G | New Zealand:G | Norway:A | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Clermont, Iowa, USA

Company:

Asymmetrical Productions

Trivia:

There are no features on the DVD other than a trailer. Also, there are no scene selections because David Lynch wanted the film to be one whole experience rather than scenes.

Goofs:

Continuity: In New Hampton (at the junction of US 18 and US 63), Alvin crosses West Hale Street before he approaches it.

Quotes:

Alvin Straight: There's no one knows your life better than a brother that's near your age. He knows who you are and what you are better than anyone on earth. My brother and I said some unforgivable things the last time we met, but, I'm trying to put that behind me... and this trip is a hard swallow of my pride. I just hope I'm not too late... a brother's a brother.

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Soundtrack:

Solo Spin Out

A Slice of America

After seeing this film I feel like I know just a little bit more about the USA. David Lynch is synonymous with shock value and weird for weirdness sake, and indeed these elements are not missing from The Straight Story. However it is in a light that I have not witnessed from Lynch before. We begin with a simple family living a quiet life but end up with an array of absurdly interesting characters with depth in their lives that cannot be apparent from their introduction. Especially moving was the bar scene with two WWII veterans discussing the events of fifty years ago and how it still affected their current lives and emotions. If you are looking for Wild at Heart or Dune, don't look here. But if you are looking for real people with real stories this is the film for you.