Review of The Straight Story (1999) by Jack F — 03 Mar 2008
Even if the main character's name wasn't Alvin Straight, David Lynch's pastoral, indelible character study could not have a more appropriate title. This, along with 1980's The Elephant Man, represents Lynch's most straightforward and accessible filmmaking.
That both films are among the best he has made is notable. The ace up this movie's sleeve is the performance of the relatively unknown Richard Farnsworth in the lead role. A septugenarian with ailing health, Alvin Straight jumps off the screen with total believability, proving in the end to be among the more memorable characters I've seen.
Sissy Spacek's work here is also very good. But in the end it's about Alvin on that lawn mower in the vast emptiness of the American landscape. There are a lot of things going under underneath The Straight Story's modest exterior, but at heart it's the warmest movie David Lynch has ever made.
This review of The Straight Story (1999) was written by Jack F on 03 Mar 2008.
The Straight Story has generally received very positive reviews.
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