Based on a true story, David Lynch’s tender portrait of one septuagenarian’s real journey across America’s heartland on a ride-on lawnmower stars Richard Farnsworth in an Oscar nominated role that tells the story of Alvin Straight and his journey to reunite with his estranged brother...

It's been a long time since I saw The Straight Story, a film my brother originally suggested I watched. It probably has one of Hollywood's shortest movie synopsis: Old man travels miles, on a ride-on mower, to see his ill brother.

The movie is based on the true story of Alvin Straight who in 1994, traversed the 260-mile route from Lurens, Iowa to Mt. Zion, Wisconsin. The film chronicles Straight's journey and the strangers that he meets along the way. These include a teenage runaway and a fellow World War II veteran. By sharing his life’s earned wisdom with simple stories, Alvin has a profound impact on these characters that colour his pilgrimage. Throughout production, Richard Farnsworth, playing Straight, was terminally ill with bone cancer. As the extras indicate, the physical aspect of the role was not so much acting, it was more reactive for Farnsworth.

The production is about as unlikely a David Lynch product as you could wish for. His usual cinematic subject matters focus on the surreal, and sometimes disturbing underbelly of life. With The Straight Story, Lynch's light directional touch showcases a softer, warmer side to his style.

Extras include an Audio Commentary by Peter Tonguette (It's a little dry, and on occasion he's just commenting on what is happening on the screen, like a crazy old uncle); Mark And Bob Tell It Straight (19 min, 57 sec feature that sees two members of the film's location department talking about their memories on the movie. There's some interesting tales to tell, especially concerning Sissy Spacek, Lynch and the dead deer they had to procure); Straight & Narrow: Inside The Film (11 min, 28 sec, which looks at various aspects of the movie); Far & Wide: Inside The Score (10 min, 33 sec); "Straight Talking: A Making Of" Interview with David Lynch (19 min, 11 sec, which interviews not just Lynch, but quite a few others involved with the production); "The Straight Story: On Set with David Lynch" Behind-The-Scenes (38 min, 19 sec, raw footage of various scenes been shot. Each one ending with the final scene for comparison); Image Gallery (21 sec); Original Trailer (1 min, 55 sec); and 2025 Trailer (54 sec).

The movie is as fresh and entertaining today as it was on its original release. A warm hearted film full of poignant moments.

8

Darren Rea