The Straight Story

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The Straight Story

G

Released May 21, 1999

1h 51m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

115 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

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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Fer S

Very nice movie. The very first scene is really slow, but don't worry, the rest of the film is not like that. Great movie if you want to chill and just not think about anything negative.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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Sarfaraz A

David Lynch directed the biographical road adventure drama. The film's ending credits the film in Alvin Straight's memory, whose true account of a 240-mile ride from Iowa to Wisconsin on a lawn mower in 1994 serves as the basis for the film. Richard Farnsworth stars as Alvin, Sissy Spacek plays Alvin's daughter with developmental difficulties, and Harry Dean Stanton as Alvin's brother, whom he visits after Lyle suffers a stroke. The film is one-of-a-kind from David Lynch, who was previously known for his dark crime thrillers. The movie explores familial relationships and individuals' goodwill to strangers, particularly elderly people and young. Alvin's journeys along the route teach people who have gone astray valuable lessons. As an example, he gives a life lesson to the runaway expectant girl he encounters at midnight while camping that if she stayed with her family, she would be more comfortable and cared for by her loved ones, much as sticks cannot be broken together. A humble narrative with stunning photographs of the Midwest's countryside and farmland.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

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Nugraha A

Great movie really love it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

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Farah R

It drags on longer than needed, but The Straight Story packs a lot of heart.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/25

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Greg S

A smooth, comforting cinematic back massage , if you will, that excels on every level. Farnsworth, in all his poetic, gentlemanly stoicism simply shines.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/25

Full Review

Michael S

The Straight Story is a beautifully made film, filled with wonderful characters who eloquently reveal Lynch’s inner feelings of love and compassion for humanity. It’s also one of the best films David Lynch made. Highly Recommended. detroitcineaste

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

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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

Brenda, the Grocery Clerk

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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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