Review of The Straight Story (1999) by Joseph S — 26 Jun 2008

The only wierd thing David Lynch had left to do was make this movie, and it's amazing.

An old man sets out across the country riding his lawn mower, in order to visit a brother he hasn't seen in years. He's too old to legally and drive and doesn't have the money to pay for travel. The trip of only a matter of states will take him almost a year by mower, and he will meet a myriad of characters along the way.

Lynch's absurd and dark humor works gently here, but still rears it's head at the right moments (the woman who always hit's deer). Still though, it's worlds away from Eraser Head and Blue Velvet, but feels like an artist expanding his horizons, than trying to make a "traditional film". The movie has a unique perspective and natural beauty and earnestness, that's stirring and never sappy. It's a straight forward, emotionally engaging movie about the absurd, miraculous, and honest in life. Beautiful.