Review of The Straight Story (1999) by Tor M — 23 Nov 2009

"I haven't had a drink in a lotta years, but now I'm gonna have me a cold beer.".

Director: David Lynch.

Starring: Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton, Jane Galloway.

Running time: 107 minutes.

Country: France, UK, USA.

I had high expectations with this film because of it being a film from an odd yet terrific filmmaker. One thing I was a bit worried about was its complete difference compared to the films he has done in the past. When I did see it, I was very disappointed with it because it seemed a very dull, plain and meaningless film. As the film ended, I was so annoyed with it because didnt show what he was setting out to do other than just seeing his brother. Yes, it was very inspiring and courageous travelling across America on a lawnmower and I understand that it was a true story but I just thought that the ending didn't conclude with such beauty and drama.

Richard Farnsworth's performance as Alvin was absolutely brilliant. I think that Farnsworth's performance was pretty much the only thing that was worth watching in this film. Alvin is an aging man who lives with his daughter and soon finds out that his brother is dying. One problem: he hasn't spoken to or even seen his brother for a very long time. He decides to go and see him to spend some last time with his brother to brother. His performance and character is a bit like Chris McCandleless in Into The Wild because they both travel and meet different people during their journey. Sissy Spacek's performance as Alvin's daughter Rose was absolutely awesome as well. She is a very troubled woman due to a past tragedy.

This truly is pretty much the only straight story of the films that David Lynch has done throughout his career. As I have said, The Straight Story being a David Lynch film is the only reason why I expressed interest in this film but unfortunately came out disappointed with it. The script was well written in some ways but towards the end of the film it went really flat and dull. I have to confess that the ending of this film is the most disappointing endings that I think I've ever seen in a film.

Overall, The Straight Story is a disappointing, dull film but had little decent qualities which was the good acting from Farnsworth and Spacek and the good directing from Lynch.