Rating: 
Summary: The softer side of Lynch
Review: Alot of people thought that just because this Lynch gem isn't twisted meant that it wasn't good. Actually, it is more enjoyable because of it's mainstream plot (no offense to Twin Peaks, I have a place in my heart for you to). Richard Farnsworth (Oscar nomination well deserved) portrays Alvin Straight, a man who travels on his lawnmower to visit his sick brother. It is funny, adventurous, and highly dramatic. But it's the little things (Alvin picks up his hat) that brings on the tears.
Rating:
Summary: Old-fashioned poetry, put to film
Review: The Straight Story is a pure old-fashioned lyrical gem, an ode to a vanishing America of sweet pastoral poetry. Veteran actor Richard Farnsworth once again proves (effortlessly) that he's a national treasure of Americana, almost as if he'd stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Farnsworth gets my personal Oscar vote for Best Actor.WHO MIGHT LIKE THIS MOVIE: fans of Richard Farnsworth's acting ... lovers of Pat Metheny/Charlie Haden's CD "Beyond the Missouri Sky" ... lovers of Adagio movements in Mozart concertos ... people who hated American Beauty, and feel nostalgia for a slower, more humane, compassionate, pastoral American landscape. WHO MIGHT NOT LIKE THIS MOVIE: viewers who prefer action, a brisk pace, well-groomed celebrity actors, and modern urban drama ... people uncomfortable with a slow country pace, impatient with quiet poetry and understated details.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful human interest story
Review: Richard Farnsworth has been acting 63 years. That's a long time as a supporting and character actor. He gets his big opportunity to be a leading man at age 79 and he nails it. Farnsworth plays Alvin Straight who takes a cross country odyssey on a riding mower to see his ailing brother with whom he has not spoken in ten years. This is a warm and touching story that takes its time unfolding. Alvin's journey is a journey for the viewer as well. It is an excellent character study of a proud and cantankerous old man who is determined to cling to his self sufficiency and dignity and for whom failure is not an option. It reminds us that behind the eyes of those old faces that we so often push aside, there are real people with strong principles, wisdom, experience and emotions worth far more than the value we place on them. Director David Lynch is to be commended for transcending his own usually bizarre mold in this film. Though his pacing is decidedly slow, so is the lawnmower, so it is appropriate. The prelude to Alvin's getting on the road was particularly deliberate and might have been condensed a bit, but once on the road the pacing was perfectly adapted to the story. The locations were terrific, with numerous aerial shots of our beautiful heartland. The story was presented with sensitivity and simplicity without a lot of visual gimmickry. It's good to see a film where the story and not the filmmaking is the point. Farnsworth gives the performance of his career. His portrayal makes Alvin determined and stubborn, but in a way that is lovable and charismatic. His ability to distill complex emotions into simple expressions was masterful. My only real criticism was that Sissy Spacek gave what I thought was a sub-par performance for her. I thought she overdid the speech impediment to the point where it hindered the dialogue. This is an absorbing and wonderful human interest story. I rated it a 9/10. For those looking for fast paced action, this is not your movie. For everyone else, see it soon and enjoy its simple enchantment.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Slow-paced Film
Review: I am a big movie fan, especially of independent and foreign films. I almost always enjoy films that are NOT big budget Hollywood releases. In fact, I have never written a negative film review for an independent film before. However, I thought this film was very slow, and to be blunt, quite boring. It's one of those movies where you wonder when it's going to pick up. But I feel it never does. It does have a nice story line. And I think my Grandma would enjoy it, because it's nice and simple, and not too fast. I didn't find anything original in it, though. And there were no unexpected twists or turns in the story. As an odd sidenote: An odd thing I noticed is the prominent presence of cigarette smoking, which seemed out of place in many scenes. I bet (a) cigarette firm(s) paid for product placement.
Rating:
Summary: Capra smiled
Review: So, how do you sell a film about an old guy who makes a two hundred and fifty mile trek on a lawn mower tractor to an action-addicted, MTV-jaded public? Certainly not overnight. David Lynch again breaks the rules and gives us a "road movie" like no other. "The Straight Story" did only minimal business during its initial theatrical run but make no mistake, this strangely mesmerizing film is built for the long haul. The Lynch touch is undeniable, yet beautifully restrained, bestowing the film with a life-like, life-giving idiosyncracy that glows with feeling and depth. Its unhurried, thoughtful pace seems almost like a remedy for our times. Spacek's role as the slow daughter who speaks in halting, awkward speech rhythms is a masterstroke of character work, while Farnsworth gives the signature performance of his career. In years to come, "The Straight Story" will grow into a time-honored classic as the public discovers and takes this unique, gentle film into its heart. Capra smiled down on this one.
Rating:
Summary: Farnsworth outstanding in warm and lyrical film.
Review: Character actor Richard Farnsworth earned an Oscar Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1978 for his work in COMES A HORSEMAN. His current performance as Alvin Straight in a magical, lyrical and lovely film, THE STRAIGHT STORY, is even more extraordinary. His face is a map of a lifetime and is so incredibly expressive that, like Garbo, one almost does not need dialogue to know what he's thinking and feeling. This is a film about decent people being decent to each other - that's a rarity, eh? I've seen just over half of the 35 Oscar nominated films from 1999 and only this and MUSIC OF THE HEART contain no violence - what a comment on our film world. Alvin Straight sets out to see a brother who may or may not have survived a stroke - to end a feud and set the record as straight as his name. He does this on a John Deere tractor, traveling from Iowa to Wisconsin, since his age precludes an active driver's license. Along the way he meets a number of people, including himself, and leaves a bit of wisdom, honesty and perspective in all the lives he touches. Sissy Spacek is also exceptional as his developmentally delayed adult daughter - she deserved an Oscar nom in support for her performance here. This is a beautiful film. Thank you, Director Lynch, and thank you, Mr. Farnsworth, for sharing so much beauty and meaning with your fellow humans.
Rating:
Summary: Best Film of 1999
Review: I had the pleasure of viewing almost all new releases in the brilliant film year of 1999. Above all, "The Straight Story" stands proudly at the top of my list. I cannot remember a film experience I have had that left me feeling so utterly relaxed and satisfied at the same time. Sit back, turn off the lights and let this film take you into a different state of mind. Farnsworth's performance is as perfect as any screen role in years. The Oscar deserved to be bestowed on him for a performance that was not acting at all. He IS Alvin Straight, quite simply. The music by Angelo Badalamenti (who is normally a bit eccentric in his musical scores) is sublime. This is filmmaking at its best. David Lynch has found his niche'. Let us hope that he sticks with this film style, and forgets all about those such as "Lost Highway".
Rating:
Summary: Who'dve thunk a G-Rated David Lynch movie'd so dern good?
Review: Yep, this 23-year old reviewer loved this G-Rated story of a 79-year old man who drives across state on a lawnmower to visit his ailing brother. Give this film a chance. You'll enjoy it. It's a crime that Buena Vista has not set a DVD release date for this. With its amazing clarity, only DVD can do this wonderfully photographed film justice.
Rating:
Summary: Its Family
Review: It was one of those movies that gets you right there. To me it was what family is all about. No matter how long time has run family is family. I am sure the award winner was ok but Farnsworth was worth a 1000 words as the main character. This was a STELLER PERFORMANCE IN THE MAGNETUDE OF THE GREAT ACTORS OF ALL TIMES. I compare it to Burton's Hamelet,Redford's Horse Whispers,Brando's On The Waterfront and Don Juan, Monty Wooley's The Man Who Came To Diner, Grant's Bring up Baby. If you have not seen it watch it. If you have watch it again. You will surely fall in love with the face that looks like a used road map of Cleveland and the voice of some on who has been there and done it all. Thank you Richard Farnsworth your among the number ones in my book.
Rating:
Summary: A movie that helps you find your own center
Review: In the first parts of the movie, when Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) is driving down the road on his riding lawnmower, it was all I could do not to speed up the VCR! I kept thinking - "Good grief man, get in a car!" The slow pace was almost uncomfortable to watch, but then it really hit me - he's not going too slow - everyone else is just moving too fast. And indeed we are. And at first I pondered the question - why is this good and decent old man having to endure this long trip? His motives are pure and right. Why wasn't there an easier path for him? But as the movie progressed, I saw that the long trip brought him many blessings. And his presence brought a blessing to everyone he met. His own pain over a broken relationship with his brother enabled him to help others find healing in their own lives. Maybe the trip wasn't as much for Alvin as it was for the people he met and helped along the way. What a wonderful afterthought to ponder! Who received the greater benefit! Mother Theresa once said that maybe we can't do a great big wonderful thing, but we can all do many little wonderful things. (my paraphrase) This movie emphasized that lovely truth. At first glance, this old man looked like a pretty unimportant character on the stage of life, but in terms of the wonderful things he did for others, his life was of immeasurable worth. This movie is too good to rent. I'm buying copies for me and as many family members as possible. What a treasure. Best movie of 1999 - without a moment's doubt. And a last note - I hadn't heard one word about this flick until I saw info about it posted at a Christian website. Hollywood continues to disappoint me. Why wasn't this movie an Oscar contender?
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