Rating: 
Summary: a beautifully told story
Review: This really is a beautiful story, and who better to tell it than David Lynch. The lead, played by Richard Farnsworth, could not possibly have been better casted. The acting, the cinematography, the music and all of the elements that come together to make a great movie are here. While the idea of "Lynch gone Disney" has scared a lot of his avid fans away, he did an incredible job; the film does contain a few quirky Lynch moments too.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful uplifting story
Review: Straight story is a true story of one elderly man's passion and perseverance. He longs to see his estranged brother but his only means of transport is a lawnmower and his brother is far away even by car. The interaction of this fellow with his shocked neighbors and townspeople is amazing and the story as warm and sweet as any film in recent memory. enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A Sleeper
Review: In the movie business, a sleeper refers to a film that is not well known, but turns out to be a great film to see. The story talks about relationships in the family. It is so uplifting to see the desire to become close again after a rift has occurred in the family. I loved watching the main character drive the lawn mower because I tried to picture myself doing that, and I don't think I'd be quite as brave. But he was determined to see his brother, and he did whatever he had to do to make it happen. My husband refuses to go to movies because he said he doesn't need to pay to fall asleep. We decided, however, to go with friends to see this incredible movie. I was touched to see my husband not only stay awake, but have tears in his eyes. It is my husband's favorite movie. I recommend it wholeheartedly. It'll make you feel good.
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Summary: You came all this way on that thing just to see me?
Review: A lot of people have David Lynch pegged as a filmmaker obsessed with darkness, depravity, grotesquerie, perversion and weirdness for its own sake. Not to sound too ....., but these people are immune to visual poetry and should stick with Adam Sandler or Schwarzeneggar movies. Yes, there are some elements of all of the above in Lynch's work, but always too there is a sense of humanity, a certain skewed grace. With The Straight Story, the spirituality that has always been present in Lynch's films comes more prominently to the fore than it ever has before (with the possible exception of The Elephant Man). The Straight Story lacks much in the way of outright strangeness in terms of content, but the general oddness of Lynch's style, his unique sense of composition and editing rhythms, his whole way of seeing, is very much in evidence here. Based on the true story of Alvin Straight, an old man who made a 300-mile journey by riding mower to see his estranged brother, The Straight Story is so, well, straightforward and simple that it achieves a kind of purity. By all accounts, on a personal level Lynch is an unusually warm, sweet guy and I can believe it. This film couldn't have been made by someone who wasn't a fundamentally clear-eyed, good man, and the deep-down decency of Straight is accordingly made palpable by the deep-down decency of the director. When Alvin finally meets up with his ailing brother, the film ends with an exchange between the two that is so understated and eloquent that it's almost startling in its power. Eschewing any trace of cheesey sentimentality, Lynch makes a statement about the importance of love and forgiveness that even the most hardened cynic would be moved by. If you missed this in the theater, the widescreen DVD is the only way to go. Don't miss this remarkable film.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films of 1999
Review: I have always liked David Lynch. He never limits himself. In The Straight Story, he has created a masterpiece of Americana. This is possibly one of the most unpretentious films ever made. For a "G" movie, the directing is as innovative as anything I've seen. David Lynch reasserts himself as one of America's greatest directors.
Rating: 
Summary: The Straight Story
Review: Set in the Midwest during the autumn, the visual imagery itself is enough to make you want to own this film, breathtaking shots corn fields and roads stretching out as far as the eye can see, this to me sums up the USA and made me want to visit. Deviating from his usual style of directing, Lynch provides a touching and sometimes tearful insight into the life of Alvin Straight, a man who rode a lawnmower across several states in order to visit his sick brother one last time. Touching at the heartstring as you see how the suffering endured by Alvin in order to see his brother affects him, strongly recommended to those people who usually find Lynch's work overwhelming This will bring a sigh as you watch Alvin meet strangers along the way and how each meeting can affect a person in one way or another, always determined and forthright in his mission Alvin will show you what it is like to be old and honourable. To sum the film up in one word - Stunning -
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Summary: Unexpected beauty and calmness from David Lynch, a must-see!
Review: The Straight Story is an unexpected movie from David Lynch's hands. When I first saw this in a local cinema I was mesmerized by the movie's beautiful imagery, music and storytelling. This movie tells the true story of Alvin Straight, an old man with a bad hip. When he hears his brother, whom he hasn't spoken to in years due to some argument, has had a seizure he feels he has to see him, to once again sit side-by-side and look at the stars. As he has no means of transportation and refuses to be driven or brought, he takes his '66 lawnmower and starts to drive it from Iowa to Wisconsin. On his journey he meets a number of strangers with whom he shares experiences and wisdom through honest, personal and simple stories. This is beautifully depicted by Richard Farnsworth's role as Alvin who got an Acadamy Award(r) nomination for his performance. Alvin's journey, this old man's character, his encounters with the strangers he meets, the music and the unrushedness of the movie impressed me so much I went to see it three times in a row. Because the movie is not a roller-coaster ride, but takes its time to let everything sink in you finally have to time to really appreciate every aspect of it. Allthough this movie hasn't become a major block-buster, I know nobody who has seen it who hasn't also seen it twice. Definately one of the better movies of '99. Do yourself a favour, buy it.
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Summary: A different Lynch movie, but well-worth watching
Review: One of the most inspirational movies in recent memory. Lynch takes his time telling this true story of a man who rides his lawnmower across several states for one last visit with his sick brother. Why a lawnmower? Because he's almost blind and this is all he's got. Lynch lets the story unfold slowly and some may be put off by the lazy pace. "Why isn't anything happening?" was a frequent complaint I heard. I found the pace a welcome change from the MTV-style editing that is so prevelant. Straight Stories' slower style is a perfect parallel for the mower's crawl across Midwest America. Lynch lingers on shots and fully develops his protagonist while also tossing in some strong supporting characters. Farnsworth should have won an Oscar for his multi-layered performance. The ending is a bit weak after such a long build-up, but there is a certain poetry in the last shot. Give this unconventional story a chance, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Lynch shows soft side with cohesive "Straight Story"
Review: Picture this: The best Disney, G-rated, heart-warming movie about life's regrets, remorse, and making amends is a little film that most never saw when it entered theaters almost a year ago.....and it's directed by David Lynch? David Lynch, who made his debut into filmaking with the disturbing and strange "Eraserhead", has always been labled as an auteur of the strange and surreal. He came closest to commercial success with the Academy Award nominated "Elephant Man" and "Blue Velvet", but no film he's ever made has been able to tap into the sensibilities of middle-America. "Straight Story" is that movie. Departing from the surreal images we've come to expect in a David Lynch film, he directs this moving story about a man's journey to visit his ailing brother in a "Straight" manner. Instead of focusing the camera on disturbing images of evil lurking within human nature, Lynch gives us beautiful shots of the roadways of middle-America and the pastures and fields that line these highways. Along the way, Richard Farnsworth's character (in an Oscar-nominated performance) meets different people who, like him, are on a journey. As the movie proceeds, we come to learn that the real journey is that of Farnsworth's character which is revealed in pieces throughout the film as he shares his life's regrets, sorrows, and pains. Lynch takes his time with this film, slowly unraveling the motives of the main character. Suffice to say it's not for the Micheal Bay crowd. Be patient. You will be digesting this movie long after viewing. Enhancing this beautiful film is stunning cinematography and a wonderful score featuring a violin solo. Yes, a violin. This a complete departure for Lynch, but a film equal to his greatest works.
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Summary: A slice of life
Review: The Straight Story is a simple, yet beautifully told story that is a slice of life not only because it is true but because it deals with themes and topics that we can all relate to. Family, conflict, forgiveness, and the passing of time are all topics that we know about. After watching this movie I have a newfound respect for David Lynch. Richard Farnsworth puts on a Oscar caliber performance as he sets out on a lawnmower to visit his ailing brother. To some people that may sound stupid and boring but as you begin to watch the movie as Alvin embarks on his journey across state you begin to embark with him on this life changing experience. For some, the movie at times may seem to be a bit slow but this is rather unfortunate because we are so used to action, explosions, and special effects that we rarely watch movies that are as deep as The Straight Story. Set in the midwest, (Iowa I believe) the cinematography and scenery takes your breath away. Also, the soundtrack is just as beautiful. In The Straight Story Richard Farnsworth shows us that simplicity is what life is all about. We as Americans get way to caught up in the hustle and bustle of our lives and careers that we forget to slow down and focus on the more simple things in life like family, relationships, and taking back the time that has been lost. This is a movie that will move you and change your life and will have you moved to tears in many parts. It's too bad that this movie didn't get the attention that it deserved when it was released in theatres because it truly is a hidden treasure. I have been waiting so long for this to come out on DVD and I am so happy that I will finally be able to own this great movie on DVD. Experince a slice of life and get The Straight Story.
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