Review of The Straight Story (1999) by Zane T — 21 Jun 2009

I would rather watch David Lynch's worst movies than many of the best reviewed movies out there. Dune and Wild at Heart have more creativity than most movies. Who would have believed David Lynch's best movie would be G-rated, yes, no sexual perversions or graphic violence here, and released by Disney.

What an appropriate name for a movie. In one way, it's the story of Alvin Straight, an ornary old cuss who lives in the mid-west and the other way, it's Lynch playing it straight and showing that the odd characters he's used in his previous movies exist in real life.

There are people in this movie who make those in Twin Peaks look normal, such as the female motorist who is frustrated that she repeatedly hits deer on a highway but can't stop because it is the only road she travels or the storekeeper who haggles with Alvin over an grabber.

The story is based on a true story as Straight, now forced to using two walking canes, is forbidden from driving. Rather cranky as he refuses to ride in a car with anyone else, he hops on his riding tractor from Iowa to Minnesota to visit his estranged and now-ill brother.

Sissy Spacek is his daughter, who may or may not be mentally disabled. The movie never really lets us know. There is a nice small role by Everett McGill, who only seems to get to play nice guys in David Lynch's movies, who sells Alvin Straight a new John Deere tractor with just a small down payment, a hand shake and his word that he will pay it off.

Kevin Farley and John Farley, brothers of the late Chris Farley, provide a little comic relief as they play some inept mechanics who try to short change Straight on repairs. He's sees through them.

This was one of the best movies of the 1990's and the 20th Century.