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Summary: The straight story
Review: Excelant condition, and received it quickly...Thank You
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Summary: The lawnmower man
Review: After his skewering of American suburbia in 1986's "Blue Velvet," you'd hardly expect a love letter to Americana from bizarro director David Lynch. But that's just what we got in 1999: a G-rated slice-of-life telling the true story of Alvin Straight, an elderly man who traveled from Iowa to Wisconsin to visit his estranged, ailing brother--via riding lawn mower. As Alvin, veteran character actor Richard Farnsworth etches a fascinating portrait of a man in the twilight of life with the resolve of a pit bull. He also has one monologue about World War II that is more powerful than anything in "Saving Private Ryan." Couple that with fine support from Sissy Spacek as Straight's daughter, and director Lynch has made a quiet triumph.
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Summary: Tthe Straight Story
Review: This is a beautiful and gentle movie that says a lot about forgiveness and the importance of making peace with those who are important in our lives. Richard Farnsworth did an excellent job of conveying the pain and poignancy of a man t the end of his life, full of regrets, but also full of love. It was touching and uplifting and enables people to be reminded of the positive side of the human race rather than the negative. It is full of wisdom and truth.
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Summary: American film-making at its finest
Review: The Straight Story is among the best movies I've ever seen...period. I never thought I would say this about a Lynch-directed film, but I say it without hesitation here. The acting is a bit stiff in the first few minutes, but once it gets settled in, I'm not sure I've seen finer performances. The film moves slowly, but deliberately, as Lynch demonstrates the power of silence. Angelo Badalamenti's score complements the film perfectly. The cinematography is unusual but is never distracting. The character development is outstanding, and the biggest surprise of all: the dialog is very strong and very intelligent. The emotional performances by the actors together with the very genuine dialog made the movie personal for me. Our kids even sat through its slow pace because the characters are so interesting. I just can't say enough positive things about this movie. If you want a good family film, this is it.
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Summary: Very nice movie
Review: I saw the preview for this movie and thought: "Wow. That looks good. I'll rent it when it comes out."When I did rent it, the twentysomething cashier at the counter was like: 'are you sure you wanna rent it?' as though a movie solely about an old man was too lame to watch. I didn't let him deter me though. I liked the movie. But not that much. I don't understand why everyone loved it. It had a nice message, good acting, and beautiful cinematography, but still . . . it didn't exactly grab me and pull me in. Definitely four stars, but definitely not five.
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Summary: Road movies
Review: Another David Lynch road movie, though this one's significantly different from "Wild at Heart." Somehow, though, the two films compel you to watch them for the same reasons: to find out where the protagonist(s) will end up next, what kind of characters they're going to meet up with, what kind of roadside scene is coming up. "Wild at Heart" doesn't have any scene in it like the conversation in the bar between Alvin and the other WWII vet (which, by the way, is infinitely more poignant and heart-rending than any scene in "Saving Private Ryan" because it is a story simply TOLD, and is not shown -- yes, that scene proves that showing is not as good as telling, even in film). On the other hand, this movie doesn't have any scene in it like the "conversation" between Laura Dern and Willem Defoe in the hotel room. Both scenes are equally valid as superior examples of film-as-art.
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Summary: A little gem
Review: I cried all the way through this movie. I don't know why. Maybe Richard Farnsworth evoked my grandfather Harry, a farmer who was wise without benefit of much formal education and who was cantankerous and stubborn, just like Alvin Straight. Maybe because of the core message of the importance of family. Maybe because the scenery was lovely. Maybe because the music captured my fancy (buy the soundtrack, too, people!). It was perfect.
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Summary: Fabulous, Fabulous
Review: I must admit, when I heard the premise for this film--David Lynch does a movie about a guy who drives a lawnmower hundreds of miles to visit sick brother, I thought, "I don't know." However, this movie is just terrific. David Lynch still has the knack for catching the weirdness of life on film, it's just that in the Straight Story, he does it in a non-shocking way. The cinematography is wonderful, as you would expect with a Lynch film and the acting is particularly strong. These actors are not beautiful Hollywood stars, but average looking people with lots of talent. The story, as Lynch tells it is heartwarming without being hokey at all, it's funny, yet remains true to the story. Richard Farnsworth is a masterful actor who with one single silent expression can convey a wealth of emotion. See this movie now, you won't regret it. Highly recommended.
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Summary: David Lynch, You Have Been Redeemed...
Review: ...this is a great, gentle hearted film. And, like everyone else, my heart skipped a beat when Al yelled for Lyle outside the house and it took a while for Lyle to answer and teary-eyed Al took a great sigh of relief. This is a nothing less than extraordinary story told well. A good job by everyone involved. Now, David, get back to telling those outrageous, trippy tales--just kidding.
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Summary: Good stretch for Lynchie!
Review: I really dug this movie, but I can't help wondering how it ever got made! Yeah, Mr. Disney, we've got David Lynch on the phone - yeah the same guy who did "Blue Velvet" and "Wid at Heart" and "Lost Highway" - yep, and he wants to do a Disney film - no, not through Touchstone or anything, he definitely wants the Disney logo on the film. Mmm-hmm. No, nothing like that, he wants it to be a family film, but not for kids specifically. In fact, it's an old guy riding a lawnmower across the Midwest, so it's actually not for kids at all....Hello? The Straight Story features Richard Farnsworth on his riding mower (cuz he can't drive no more) riding to see his ailing brother a couple hundred miles away whom he hasn't seen since having a falling out with him years ago. Along the way he stops in towns, chats with folks, and acts as a sort of Midwestern Messiah by giving wisdom and advice to folks who need it. The whole thing basically boils down to a character study of Farnsworth's character, and he does carry the whole darn thing - and well. His war story in the bar is what I imagine got him the Oscar nomination. Recommended, but you gotta be in the right mood. Dennis Hopper and his nitrus tank won't be showing up.
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