Review of The Straight Story (1999) by Roberto D — 07 Dec 2009

Although it boasts a G-rating and Walt Disney's shiny magical logo, "The Straight Story" is still, at the end of the day, a David Lynch movie. Regardless of how different the story is from his normal subject matter (and it's quite a departure, yes), this is on the same level as the director's most compelling, disturbing, and best work, such as "Blue Velvet." While it certainly sticks out in his canon of films for its lack of narrative trickery, edgy sex and nudity and oddball profanity, this gentle change in pace from America's most unpredictable and unusual director boasts some of the most "Lynchian" scenes the director has ever taken on. Just because its simple, refreshingly straightforward story doesn't deter from reality or into surrealism doesn't mean this isn't Lynch.

On the contrary, fans of the director will find his presence in every moment of this movie, from the graceful, fluid camera work to the intimate scenes focusing on the quirky and mundane. Lynch has often done films dealing with middle America, and it's hypocritical simplicity and darkness. This is subdued in "The Straight Story," but it's there. In fact, this may be Lynch's defining statement on middle American attitudes, a more laid back companion piece to "Blue Velvet" and "Twin Peaks." Slow but hynotic, meandering but graceful, it's full of powerfully quiet moments that haunt and linger with the viewer long after watching it.

As usual, the cast, which is limited, is excellent, with Rciarhd Farnsworth giving the performance of his career (his final screen appearance sadly) in a role that most actors have his age will never equal. Sissy Spacek is practically an extended cameo but does such memorable and specific work in her scenes she feels like a lead.

Either with or without the knowledge that this sweet, wise, incredibly serene movie was made by the guy who did "Eraserhead," "The Straight Story" will still be one of the most beautiful and relaxing cinematic experiences of one's movie-watching life. Lynch is a director of true Kubrickian quality; he takes his ideas, his style, his mood and his attitude, and throws it on a story unlike anything else he's ever done, and comes up with a homerun. I can't recommend this movie enough. How can something so simple, so laid back resonate so intensely? Cinema is full of wonderful experiences, like "The Straight Story.".