The Straight Story

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The Straight Story

G

1999

1h 51m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

112 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A retired farmer and widower in his 70s, Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) learns one day that his distant brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. Then he hits on the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.

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Critics Consensus

With strong performances and director David Lynch at the helm, The Straight Story steers past sentimental byways on its ambling journey across the American heartland.

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Kat Sachs

Chicago Reader

Sometimes a director’s best film and maybe even their most characteristic, if you really think about it, is the one you might least expect, as can be the surprising nature of auteurism.

Apr 25, 2025

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Dan Kois

Slate

When the movie’s end arrives, it’s a scene of cosmic beauty, accompanied by Angelo Badalamenti’s ethereal score—pure cinematic liftoff, a triumph of writing, direction, acting, casting, all the things that make a movie take flight.

Jan 21, 2025

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

... An elegiac portrait of a fading American heartland wrapped around a tear-jerking depiction of a man reflecting on his life losses with regret and resignation.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 24, 2023

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Lynch directs the quiet saga of septuagenarian Alvin Straight piloting his riding lawnmower from Iowa to Wisconsin the way only Lynch knew how—equal parts tenderness, agony and entrancing patience.

Apr 25, 2025

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

If you're a sucker for sentimental Americana, this is of significantly higher quality than the genre usually manages.

Jan 23, 2025

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Peter Martin

EverythingButHorror.com

Felt like soaking in an elegy for past time, and coming to terms with the consequences for a lifetime of actions. .... An ineffably gorgeous film, which becomes more affecting with every viewing. ... A celebration of what was and what will be.

Aug 10, 2024

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Tom F

A story that seems simple on the surface, Lynch and a terrific cast instills every scene with a calm energy and a punch of reality. Rated G and distributed by Disney, this might qualify as Lynch’s strangest film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/21/25

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Aldo G

A masterpiece about family, the ordinary, and perseverance. A tender David Lynch, an inspiring Richard. Farnsworth and another fabulous score by Angelo Badalamenti.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

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Ian S

A very different movie from David Lynch. Well acted by Farnsworth and Spacek with a music score that complements the movie perfectly and some stunning visuals of the American midwest. A low key gem.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

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M G

Like watching paint dry. I'm obsessed with David Lynch and was really looking forward to watching this. It's incredibly boring!! The usual David Lynch dream sequences and surrealism doesn't appear at all. Which might have saved this movie! It's incredibly boring and watching this old guy, ride a tractor- in real time. No context was given as to why the main character hadn't talked to his brother in years and years. I was hoping for some quirky interesting characters. But that didn't happen either!! It was like watching a documentary, without any real story. If you are a insomniac, watch this movie because I couldn't even finish it. Snails pace!! I haven't been this disappointed in ages!!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

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Joe W

It could be rated higher than my 7, but the quality of the acting is like novices reading from a prompter. The story is simple. Maybe too simple.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 51 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

Full Review

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David Lynch

Director

Richard Farnsworth

Alvin Straight

Sissy Spacek

Rose 'Rosie' Straight

Jane Galloway Heitz

Dorothy, Straight's Next-Door Neighbor

Everett McGill

Tom the John Deere Dealer

Jennifer Edwards-Hughes

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Synopsis

A retired farmer and widower in his 70s, Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) learns one day that his distant brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. Then he hits on the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.

Director: David Lynch
Producer: Neal Edelstein, Mary Sweeney
Screenwriter: John Roach, Mary Sweeney
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Asymmetrical Productions, Walt Disney Pictures, CiBy 2000, Channel Four Films, Le Studio Canal +, Les Films Alain Sarde
Rating: G
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 21, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 11, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.2M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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