The Straight Story

The Straight Story

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1999
Founder	David Lynch (director), Mary Sweeney (producer, co-writer), John E. Roach (co-writer)
Headquarters	United States
Products	Biographical road drama film
Owner	Walt Disney Pictures (U.S. distributor)

The Straight Story (presented as the Straight story) is a 1999 biographical film and road movie drama helmed by director David Lynch. The editing and production were managed by Lynch's frequent collaborator Mary Sweeney, who also co-authored the screenplay alongside John E. Roach. The narrative is adapted from Alvin Straight’s 1994 trek across Iowa and Wisconsin on a lawn mower. This project represents Lynch's second and final venture into family-oriented, mainstream cinema following The Elephant Man (1980), standing in contrast to his typical surrealist approach.

The plot centers on Alvin (Richard Farnsworth), an elderly World War II veteran living with his daughter. After learning that his estranged brother has suffered a stroke, Alvin resolves to visit him in an effort to reconcile. Due to limited mobility from weakened legs and poor eyesight, Alvin rigs a trailer onto his three-decade-old John Deere 110 Lawn Tractor, which travels at approximately , setting off on a 240-mile (390 km) journey from Laurens, Iowa, to Mount Zion, Wisconsin.

Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures within the United States, the movie earned $6.2 million domestically during its limited release and sold over half a million tickets in France. It received critical acclaim for its genuine performances and naturalistic dialogue, with critic Roger Ebert comparing its tone to that of Ernest Hemingway. The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, while Farnsworth garnered an Academy Award for Best Actor nomination, becoming the oldest nominee in that category at the time.

Plot

In Laurens, Iowa, Alvin Straight, an elderly man, is discovered after experiencing a fall. His daughter Rose takes him to see a physician who recommends lifestyle adjustments, all of which Alvin refuses. When Alvin’s brother Lyle suffers a stroke, Alvin decides to undertake a visit despite having had no contact with Lyle for ten years.

Lyle resides 240 miles away in Mount Zion, Wisconsin. Neither Alvin nor Rose is capable of driving, so Alvin sets out using his riding mower. His decision surprises both family members and neighbors. After the mower breaks down, Alvin accepts a lift from a tour bus and subsequently purchases a used 1966 John Deere 110 lawn tractor to continue his journey.

Along the way, Alvin encounters several individuals: a young pregnant hitchhiker fleeing her home; RAGBRAI cyclists who find his trip amusing; and a woman troubled by having struck deer during her commute—Alvin respectfully prepares the deer meat for her. He contemplates family as a powerful connection, symbolized by a bundle of sticks later gifted to him by the hitchhiker.

When the tractor’s transmission fails on an incline, a local named Danny offers assistance and lodging, but Alvin insists on traveling alone. Running low on funds, he contacts Rose to send his Social Security check. After being quoted an excessive repair cost by mechanics, he manages to negotiate it down. A fellow veteran shares wartime stories with Alvin, who confides about lingering trauma from friendly fire incidents during World War II and his previous struggles with alcoholism.

Upon crossing into Wisconsin, Alvin converses with a Catholic priest acquainted with Lyle but unaware of Alvin’s relationship to him. Alvin confesses his desire to reconcile despite their estrangement caused by past alcohol issues.

Arriving in Mount Zion, Alvin drinks his first beer in years to steady himself. Mechanical problems with the tractor halt him just before reaching Lyle’s cabin, but he perseveres. Lyle greets him without resentment; they sit together quietly under the stars, reconnecting in silence.

Development

In the summer of 1994, 73-year-old Alvin Straight embarked on a journey spanning approximately 250 miles across the American Midwest on a lawnmower to visit his unwell brother. That same season, Mary Sweeney, a frequent collaborator of David Lynch, encountered Straight’s story in The New York Times. Having grown up in Wisconsin, Sweeney felt a strong connection to this uniquely reserved and distinctive American figure and saw the narrative’s universal resonance. Taking on the role of producer, she initiated efforts to obtain the rights.

Earlier, producer Ray Stark had secured these rights with the intention of casting Paul Newman in the lead role. Following Straight’s passing in 1996, the rights became available once more. Sweeney teamed up with John Roach, a friend from her childhood, to co-author the screenplay; during development, they retraced Straight’s original path. Upon reviewing the completed script, Lynch immediately embraced it, remarking that it "became, for me, very real."

Casting

The producers selected their top choice, Richard Farnsworth, to portray Alvin Straight. Farnsworth accepted despite battling terminal metastatic prostate cancer, motivated by his respect for Straight. Sissy Spacek, a longtime acquaintance of Lynch and an early advocate of his film Eraserhead, was cast as Rose, Alvin’s daughter. Harry Dean Stanton assumed the role of Alvin’s ailing brother.

Filming

The Straight Story was independently shot in the autumn of 1998 along the actual route taken by Alvin Straight, following the journey in chronological sequence. The production incorporated Straight’s genuine home and neighbors to enhance authenticity. Lynch later described this project as "my most experimental movie."

During filming, Farnsworth was suffering from cancer that had metastasized to his bones but displayed exceptional commitment; notably, his portrayal of leg paralysis was authentic. Farnsworth passed away by suicide in October 2000 at age 80.

After its successful debut at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, The Straight Story was acquired for U.S. distribution by Walt Disney Pictures and was granted a rare G rating by the Motion Picture Association of America. Peter Schneider, then president of production at Disney, advocated strongly for acquiring the film, calling it "a beautiful movie about values, forgiveness and healing" that captured the essence of American spirit. Although October Films sought distribution rights, no agreement was reached.

Music

The score for The Straight Story was composed by Angelo Badalamenti, continuing over 13 years of collaboration with Lynch dating back to Blue Velvet. A soundtrack album was released on October 12, 1999 through Windham Hill Records.

Soundtrack

All compositions and conducting were handled by Angelo Badalamenti.

Home media

The Straight Story became available on DVD on November 7, 2000 via Walt Disney Home Entertainment. The original North American DVD release did not include chapter markers; inside the case was a note from Lynch explaining his viewpoint: "It is my opinion that a film is not a book – it should not be broken up. It is a continuum and should be seen as such." On April 3, 2020, the movie was made accessible for streaming on Disney+.

A limited edition Blu-ray release of The Straight Story was issued by Imprint Films on September 17, 2021.

Critical reception

The Straight Story garnered widespread praise for its atypical narrative within David Lynch’s filmography. Entertainment Weekly described it as a "heavenly interpretation of Americana". The Chicago Tribune commended the film for capturing the "unadorned, genuine charm" of the rural Midwest.

Janet Maslin of The New York Times emphasized Lynch’s skill in infusing heartfelt emotion into a straightforward tale, deeming it a fresh cinematic exploration. She lauded Richard Farnsworth’s portrayal as "resolute" and unforgettable. Maslin summarized that the movie focuses more on savoring life’s experiences than hastening toward an endpoint.

Roger Ebert awarded the film four stars out of four—the first time he gave a positive review to a Lynch project—highlighting its vivid depiction of Midwestern life and the meaningful relationships formed during Alvin Straight’s voyage.

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a 95% approval rating from 106 critiques, with an average score of 8.2/10. The consensus states: "Guided by David Lynch’s direction and compelling performances, The Straight Story navigates beyond sentimental clichés on its leisurely trek through America’s heartland." On Metacritic, it achieved a score of 86 out of 100 from 32 reviewers, signifying "universal acclaim."

Awards and honors

The Straight Story was in contention for the Palme d'Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. Richard Farnsworth received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role as Alvin Straight, holding the distinction as the oldest nominee in this category (aged 79) for over two decades. Additionally, Farnsworth secured the 1999 New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor.

External links

• – archived version of the original site as of September 20, 2020

Awards and nominations earned by The Straight Story

Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
Academy Awards	Best Actor	Richard Farnsworth
Bodil Awards	Best American Film	David Lynch
British Independent Film Awards	Best International Independent Film – English Language
Cahiers du Cinéma	Annual Top 10 Lists
Camerimage	Golden Frog	Freddie Francis
1999 Cannes Film Festival	Palme d'Or	David Lynch
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards	Best Picture
	Best Actor	Richard Farnsworth
	Best Director	David Lynch
European Film Awards	Screen International Award
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival	Jury Award for Best Actor	Richard Farnsworth
Golden Globe Awards	Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama