"The Straight Story"

Starring: Richard Farnsworth (1999 Academy Award Nominee – Best Actor), Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton

Rated G
105 minutes
Disney Studios 1999

[MAY 26, 2000]  "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." – Alvin Straight

It’s a completely predictable story. A grumpy, stubborn old man with bad eyes and no driver’s license + a riding lawn mower + a sick brother whom he hasn’t seen in 10 years in another state. This plotline doesn’t require a rocket scientist to figure out what will happen next.

 

 

Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) is 74. He lives in a humble house with his daughter Rose (Sissy Spacek), who spends her spare time making a little income on the side making birdhouses for the local hardware store. Life is idyllic, though the income side of things seems a bit sparse. Just as Alvin finds out that his health is failing, he also hears that his brother in Wisconsin, with whom he hasn’t communicated in 10 years, has suffered a stroke. Alvin assesses the situation and comes up with the best solution: he will journey to Mount Zion, Wis., in his own stubborn way, aboard his riding lawn mower.

Alvin builds a trailer to sleep in for the trip and to carry the things he would need along the way. He and Rose stock a cooler full of hot dogs and liver sausage for the trip. He bids Rose goodbye, passes his buddies on the road (they place bets that he won’t even make it beyond the religious shrine just down the road), and he sets out for his goal. Less than five miles out, his riding mower blows its engine. He and the mower end up being transported back into town on a flatbed truck. The journey starts anew a few days later: this time aboard a new-used John Deere riding mower (nothing runs like a Deere?), and together they set out again on the adventure.

 

 

Along the way Alvin encounters dangers, interesting people whom he enriches with his folksy wisdom, and the adventure of the open sky and the open road. He camps along the roadsides, eats his hot dogs and reminisces about the stars in the sky.

There are magical moments in this movie in which you, the viewer, are transformed by the beauty of the surrounding countryside, as Alvin plods along. You get to breathe in deep at night, when the sky is black as ink and the stars shine brightly.

 

 

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There are mystical moments in this movie in which you, the viewer, were amazed at the depth of Alvin’s wisdom and the generosity of his spirit. He has lived 74 years, has sorted out the good from the bad, and with respect and goodness of heart, offers friendship to those he comes in contact with, offering sagely advice where it is needed.

 

 

There were also some really boring moments in this movie. At times, the plot plodded along at about the speed of that riding mower. I thought there was about an hour of story stretched out onto almost two hours of film. Even the music track seemed to accentuate the slow pace by sheer repetition of the musical themes. Alvin is a man who speaks slowly, rides slowly and even chews slowly. If you are going to take this journey with him, be ready to really kick back, be patient and take it easy.

Farnsworth himself is worth the price of this rental. His portrayal of Alvin Straight is amazing. There is enough character in his voice to help me remember the things he said for many years. And, it seems perfectly right that he should be nominated for an Academy Award for his outstanding portrayal of this "Straight" character.

And although this is a very predictable story, this film reminds us of the value of strong, honest character, compelling adventure and simplicity of life. I recommend that you give it a chance to work a little magic on your soul. I give it 3½ stars (out of five).

 

[midge]

Wondering what a movie would have to have to get 4 stars or even 5? Email me at midge@lincolndailynews.com. Glad to let you know.

 

 

 

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