Rating: 
Summary: Wisconsin...I hear it's a real 'party' state...
Review: First, let me disclose my bias that I am a HUGE David Lynch fan. That being said, let me also say that in no way does that sway my opinion of this movie. Yeah, right. No, seriously, it doesn't. Why? Well...To begin, this is the most un-Lynchian movie D.L. has ever created. I say that with somewhat of a "grain of salt," but I think most stalwart Lynch fans will understand my meaning. This is simply unlike ANYTHING he has ever done. Period. There is definitely a linear, less-is-more, mentality in this film. It is immediately touching and kindles the very most basic humane spirit that (I would like to believe) dwells within us all. Perhaps the subject matter is the major reason why that is the case. But simply put, this movie is wholly and completely beautiful. Every facet of the movie just drips with beauty. Whether it's the gorgeous sunrises or sunsets over the plains, or whether it's simply LISTENING to Richard Farnsworth (aka "Alvin Straight") talk as the viewer stares into a campfire...watching the flames dance around the logs thrown on top of each other. Whether its seeing the huge amount of road that lay before Alvin Straight, or whether its listening to him haggle over prices of tractor repairs or a "grabber." Every where the viewer is taken, is beautiful. What else? My God, Harry Dean Stanton. Can I just digress for a moment and ask: "WHEN IS PARIS, TEXAS GOING TO BE RELEASED ON DVD?" The agony of going with out it (save for an extremely well-worn VHS copy) is torture. At any rate, enough of that. My point is this, Harry Dean Stanton (in the words of David Lynch) "rocks." He is an amazing actor. Pure brilliance. Even his (roughly) two minute appearance in this movie makes it that much more complete. As an aside once more, Harry Dean Stanton always reminds me of (the old, not young) Chet Baker (of trumpet-playing fame). Anyone else? Which brings me to my next amazing person: Sissy Spacek. As always, she delivers and impeccable performance as the mildly-brain damaged daughter of Alvin Straight. Once again Ms. Spacek, kudos. Of course, the man of the show is the late Richard Farnsworth. Many may remember him as the sheriff in Stephen King's "Misery." His performance here is just heart-stopping. He was an amazing man, who was perfectly suited for the role of Alivn Straight. Musically, as with any Lynch film, it is beautiful. Angleo ("The Bad Angel") is here again, delivering a more restrained, yet equally capturing, score. There are very brief moments, that, just for a moment, you can hear remnants of Twin Peaks' material showing their presence (particularly in the very beginning of the film). There are so many images that come to mind during the course of watching this film. You are drawn to a variety of mediums from Lynch's imagery. For instance, the descriptions of the plains that Willa Cather used in her book "My Antonia" came to my mind. Then, for some reason, Steve Earle's song "The Road Goes On Forever" came to mind. The ability of a director to instill (or rather, recall) memories within the viewer's mind is something that is not achieved frequently. Here, Lynch does it perfectly. Lastly, despite the fact that this is a G rated movie, and despite the fact that Disney is behind it, it is not a children's movie. That is, it is not for kids. Older kids will appreciate the message this movie delivers. However, younger kids who just finished watching Barney or Rugrats will probably not even understand what is going on within the film. To make a long (winded) review longer, get this film as soon as you can. The DVD (technically speaking) is beautiful and I applaud Lynch for not inserting chapter breaks. But more importantly, the film itself is beautiful and moving and will touch you permanently.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best of 99
Review: Richard Farnsworth, and his tallent seemed to walk hand in hand, because he was so naturally gifted on screen. From Anne of Green Gables, to The Natural, and even Into the Night, Farnsworth has always done a sure-fire method of humble acting. His gifts, even while under physical pain, were just as evident in the Straight Story. The 73 year old, cigar loving, veteran, Alvin Straight finds out that his brother is sick, and must go on a journey of forgiveness. He and his brother have resentment in their past and have avoided one another for decades because of a simple argument. Sissy Spasek plays his loving and mentally handicapped daughter. This is one of her best performances (next to "A place for Annie"). The mode of transport? An old John Deere lawn mower. Along the way he encounters many people and touches all of their lives. Most memorably the life of a teenage runaway, who is afraid to tell her parents that she is pregnant. There is one scene that closely reminds me of the "Carl tells his Past" portion in the opening of Sling Blade. It is truly haunting as Straight tells one of his new found friends (also a veteran - Straight tells him he could see it in his eyes) about a memory from the war. The ending of the Straight Story is one of the most rewarding endings you will ever see. It is a simple moment of true emotions and is everything it should be. ~s.a.o.s.~
Rating:
Summary: Harry Dean Stanton rocks
Review: The quotation from Lynch in the soundtrack lets you know what you've been thinking all along: that David Lynch intends this to be taken both sincerely and ironically. Priceless, if for no other reason than the unforgettable last few seconds with Harry Dean Stanton.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely not American Beauty!
Review: American Beauty came out the same year as this movie and was nominated at the Oscars like this movie. However, of the two, I preferred this one for its look at people who are not jaded, cynical, crazy or mean and evil. The back story of Richard Farnsworth dying by suicide shortly after the Oscars makes his performance all the more poignant. Mr. Farnsworth is a long time actor with a long movie career and his character is an old man with one final score to settle. He doesn't use a gun or treachery to settle it, just old-fashioned forgiveness. For those who think it's a little crazy for someone to ride hundreds of miles in all kinds of weather on a lawn mower doesn't know seniors. Seniors often have lived so much life that they want to do things on their own terms. Some want to make their last peace before their demise. This movie is slow paced. It's funny but not laugh out loud funny (ex. the scene with the road kill deer). It has moments of tenderness, near tradegy, humor, redemption. It's a good movie to see with the family, especially after a knock-out, drag out fight between a teen and a parent, spouses, parent and adult children or, like in this movie, with siblings. I recommend this movie to see around the holidays instead of "Home for the Holidays" (which wasn't a bad movie, just one I'd recommend for people with non-dsyfunctional families!) so that families can bury the hatchet and appreciate each other. This coming from someone has estranged siblings too! My husband thought Sissy Spacek's performance was the strongest in the movie and her performances always are. However, I was totally enamored of Mr. Farnsworth who also played in Anne of Green Gables. I guess it's because there are so few good parts for people over 60 and it's also good to see actors who are like Michael Jordan have long careers and go out at the top of their game!
Rating:
Summary: Dignity for Disney
Review: It is impossible not to enjoy this rare jewel of a movie. Richard Farnsworth truly deserved his nomination for the role of Alvin Straight.It is as gentle as a summer rain and yet it speaks volumes. I never would have guessed that Lynch and Disney would go together,yet the truth is that the result is something golden.So engagingly simple and sweet and yet it unravels itself like a zen koan. Underlying Alvin's journey is an ever so gentle "taoist" like wisdom that is so subtle it is hard not to be won over by it's charm and simplicity. The Straight Story bought dignity back to the Disney chronology of films, the likes of which has not been seen since "Never Cry Wolf" in the early 80's. I hope this one doesnt get lost and forgotten because it is a treasure that shouldnt be buried.
Rating:
Summary: The most American movie ever!
Review: Tarkovsky said once [A. Tarkovsky, Sculpting in Time, 1984] - "... there are only two kinds of directors. The first kind usually creates their own world, sometimes a bit more vivid than reality - Kurosawa, Bresson, Dovjenko, Fellini, Bergman for example. These are usually poets. The second level directors tend to only imitate what they see. They might be good at it, but the fact remains - its an imitation." David Lynch is not a second level director, that's for sure. His work has been described as bizzare, illogical and disturbing. You either hate his movies and turn off the movie after 2-3 mins of watching, or fall in love with every piece he's ever made. You can not stay indifferent. Just like poetry does not have to rhyme to be poetry, his work does not have to be liked by everybody.
Back to Straight Story.
Here is the scoop: it's a movie about an old man who drove his lawn mower from Iowa to Wisconsin to see his brother who had a stroke.
Not impressed? Wait till you hear this. The lawn mower is a 1966 John Deere and the movie was shot by Disney.
Lets not get carried away here - there is a plus side to it too. The music (as always with Lynch) wrote by Angelo Badalamenti. From the first 2 minutes of the movie you will notice that it is in fact a Lynch movie. However, there is nothing bizzare or disturbing anymore. A lot more calm to. Badalamenti shines in this one. Unbelievable sensuality. You have to be blind and deaf not to get too emotional at the end. I did.
The movie is the best example of what kind of people Americans are - openminded, gracious, companionate.
Highly recommend to Lynch's fans. Don't miss it. Will regret if you do.
Rating:
Summary: Pure brilliance
Review: We all know and appreciate Lynch with his twisted movies in which the viewer is forced to expect the unexpected and abnormal. When I heard the news, I was very excited that he was going to shoot a road movie that was nothing to do with paranormals and weird characters. After watching Straight story I was wondering where was he before and why he was not shooting movies like this that can be called normal in his standards once a while.
First of all this is a road movie. But also a movie about an old man who tries his best to achieve what he wants against all odds.
It is also about humanity, respect as well as the elderly people who have seen all about life but either extremely ignored or not remebered. Lynch manages to build a story combining all these elements and making the movie a visual and an emotional beauty.
Straight story takes us in to the heart of America with the real American people who are always there but rarely seen in the hollywood productions as normal,friendly folks.We also enter in to the world of elderly, their limited lives and their emotions. Beautiful camera shots of fields, simple but touching music as well as the remarkable performances by the actors and actresses make this movie a classic. Even during the common road scenes it is difficult not to get very emotional. Lynch not only knows how to get chills to the spine with his previous works, but he also knows how to get in to the people's hearts by a camera.
Overall in my opinion Straight story is an excellent movie which is better than the recent oscar awarded movies with their spoiled million dollar actors and actresses as well as overblown budgets.
A film for everyone and a film to remember.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Moving Film
Review: A truly wonderful and moving film. It makes me miss those long trips between cities I take during college and home. I feel sorry for people who live in East Coast cities who will never experience the awe of driving through a rich countryside. Maybe if they watch THE STRAIGHT STORY they'll realize just what they're missing out on.
Rating:
Summary: Very Punny
Review: I wonder if David Lynch was drawn to directing this film if only because of the possible title. But, the film lives up to its title, a feat that Lynch familiars should be interested in. The film is a very simple (true) tale of Alvin Straight, who learns that his brother - who he hasn't spoken to in years - has had an illness fall upon him and decides to go and see him. So, he hops on a riding lawnmower and off he goes. This idea could have easily turned into a silly mess, but throughout, the film is handled with care and sentiment (not sentimentality). It has a measured pace, so the restless beware. But if you have no problem with the pace of The Sweet Hereafter or Breaking The Waves, this shouldn't be a problem. Lynch explores the rural countryside of America with conscience, it's like a love letter to his Heartland Of America roots. The plot would be pointless to specifically recount because it would just reveal incidents that happen on Alvin's journey. For the entire film Alvin travels and meets with various people, who are each - in different ways - touched by his presence. We also meet Alvin's daughter, who is interesting, and we learn about one or two of her problems. We learn some of Alvin's past by his tellings with others who he meets. The score is delicate, alomost mournful, played mostly on a violin. Without trying to sound too pretentious, The Straight Story may be Lynch's most personal film. It is so unlike David Lynch, that it makes me think it is more David Lynch than anything he's done before. And for Lynch, this G rated film is probably his most experimental.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: This film is moving, strong, pure, and there are so many other things I could say about it, I'll have to stop now. Farnsworth gives a touching and real performance matched by Spacek at her best. David Lynch keeps surprising, and shows he can do anything he sets his mind to.
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