Una storia vera

Who would have thought that a movie about a man who drives a couple hundreds of miles on his lawn mower to see his brother, could possibly be good cinema? I certainly didn't. I thought I knew what to expect: one of the most boring experiences of my life. Well I was as wrong as I haven't been wrong too often yet, because this is one of the best, most realistic and honest Hollywood films I've ever seen...

Giving a short resume of "The Straight Story" isn't very difficult. It's about an old and stubborn man who steps on his lawn mower and drives off to another state to pay his brother a visit when he hears that the man has had a severe stroke. That's already special on itself, but what makes it even more special is the fact that he hasn't seen his brother in ten years because of some stupid argument. In the meantime he has his share of bad luck and problems, but he also meets a lot of people whose lives he influences in one way or another with his philosophical approach to life. Despite all the difficulties he drives on for weeks, not knowing if he will reach his goal: seeing his brother again before it's too late...

I can easily understand why there are people who don't like this movie and that's also the reason why I will not say that these people don't have a heart or things like that... This movie hasn't got any flashy action scenes, it is as slow as the lawn mower the man is driving on and no, you don't have to watch it for the nice soundtrack either, because there isn't any. But why should you watch it then? Well, the simple answer is the story. I haven't seen such a touching movie with such a powerful story very often and the fact that this actually comes from Hollywood and - to make things even better - from the Disney Studio's (that's right, the same studios that overwhelm us with sugar sweet nonsense) makes it even more special. I'm not ashamed to admit that I had the tears in my eyes a couple of times while watching it, probably because the whole situation of not seeing someone for many years because of some stupid argument is all too realistic for me.

Some people will argue that the story is very shallow, but I really don't agree with that. Perhaps it is because they only see that old man driving on his lawn mower and don't want to think any further. If you look close enough than you'll understand that this man is doing all this because he knows he has once been wrong, that only his pride stood in the way of seeing his brother again and that he wants everybody else to see that too, so they won't make the same mistake. If that isn't deep enough, how much deeper does a story have to go for you then?

I would also like to add that this movie really had it all. Some beautiful landscapes (finally an American movie that shows something else than the skyline of New York, Chicago or some other big city), some very fine acting by Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek,... and a very understandable way of telling despite the fact that this is a David Lynch movie. I know now that I was completely wrong by assuming that this movie wouldn't be to my taste. It's one of the very best movies I've seen in a long time. This movie aimed for my heart and hit the bull's eye. I give it the full 10/10.

It takes patience to get through David Lynch's eccentric, but-- for a change-- life-affirming chronicle of Alvin Straight's journey, but stick with it. Though it moves as slow as Straight's John Deere, when he meets the kind strangers along his pilgrimage we learn much about the isolation of aging, the painful regrets and secrets, and ultimately the power of family and reconciliation. Richard Farnsworth caps his career with the year's most genuine performance, sad and poetic, flinty and caring. And Sissy Spacek matches him as his "slow" daughter Rose who pines over her own private loss while caring for dad. Rarely has a modern film preached so positively about family.

"A truly nice story with a moral about brotherly love" describes this odd David Lynch film. This was especially "odd" because it wasn't the kind of film Lynch had been putting out in the last 15 -20 years. Those were dark and shocking films (Blue Velvet, Wild At Heart, Mulholland Drive) and this is the opposite. I know it disappointed a lot of his fans. Others were delighted by it. Count me as one of the latter, and I own all three of those "dark" films, too.

This was another supposed-true life story, here detailing an elderly man's trip in a seated lawnmower from western Iowa all the way to Wisconsin to see his ailing brother who he hasn't talked to in years but wants to see before the latter dies. Well, I guess that premise - an old man driving a lawn mower 400 miles - still makes this an "odd" film of sorts, so Lynch stays in character with that!

Richard Farnsworth plays the title role. He is the type of guy, face-wise, voice-wise, low-key personality-wise, that just about everyone likes. The wrinkles on his face tell many a story. It was so sad to hear what happened to him in real life a year after this film was released.

The first 25 minutes of this film isn't much, and not always pleasant as it shows the main character's adult and mentally-challenged child (Sissy Spacek) and her tragic past, but once Alvin Straight (Farnsworth) begins his trip, the story picks up. I played this for several friends and they thought the film NEVER picked up, but I am more generous with it. I think it's a hidden gem. To them, it was a sleeping pill.

I found his trip pretty fascinating but you have to realize in advance this is NOT going to be a suspenseful Lynch crime story. It IS slow and if that's okay with you, you might like this. Charm enters the picture in some of people Alvin meets along the way, such as a wayward young girl running away and some nice town folks who help the old man out when he gets in trouble. (Henry Cada as "Daniel Riordan, is a standout in that regard.) Harry Dean Stanton gets third billing, but that's a joke: he's only in the final few minutes of the movie!

The Iowa scenery is pleasant. I lived there for several years and can attest to the rolling hills and the rich soil. It's a nice state with nice people....like this movie.

This is not a movie for fans of the usual eerie Lynch stuff. Rather, it's for those who either appreciate a good story, or have grown tired of the run-of-the-mill stuff with overt sentimentalism and Oprah-ish "This is such a wonderful movie! You must see it!"-semantics (tho' she IS right, for once!).

The story unfolds flawlessly, and we are taken along a journey that, I believe, most of us will come to recognize at some time. A compassionate, existentialist journey where we make amends för our past when approaching ourt inevitable demise.

Acting is without faults, cinematography likewise (occasionally quite brilliant!), and the dialogue leaves out just enough for the viewer to grasp the details od the story.

A warm movie. Not excessively sentimental.

Alvin Straight is a 73-year-old Veteran living in Laurens, Iowa with his daughter Rose. Though Straight can barely walk, he refuses a Zimmer frame, opting instead to make use of two canes to get around. One day, Straight discovers that his estranged brother Lyle- who lives some 240 miles away in Wisconsin- has had a stroke and is near death's door. Having no automobile but wanting to see his brother, the strong-willed Straight decides to use his lawn-mower to make the journey, despite the daunting nature of the task. On an odyssey through the American countryside, will Straight make it all the way to Wisconsin before his John Deere breaks down?

Based on true events, David Lynch's 'The Straight Story' is a beautiful film that works as a lyrical ballad for the American landscape and a moving character study both. John Roach and Mary Sweeney's screenplay weaves a powerfully unaffected tale that speaks volumes about the human condition. Like Hemingway, the dialogue is simple and profound, and the story full of subtleties. As Straight embarks on his quest, we learn of his life- as well as the lives of the characters he encounters along the way- and the film becomes a tapestry of American Midwestern existence.

Containing much warm-humor and genuine drama, 'The Straight Story' is Lynch's least abstract film and arguably his most emotionally percipient. As Straight plods ever onward, his mower straining over hills, the simplicity of the central narrative disappears, and the film becomes epic in scale. Like a Greek tragedian, Lynch uses Straight's story as a canvas to explore human nature, connecting with the audience on a deeper, more profound level. By the time the credits roll, viewers will have gone on an emotional journey as lengthy and impactful as Straight's 240-mile quest; and one just as memorable.

Often, Lynch uses the same core crew for his films, and 'The Straight Story' reunites him with many of them; cinematographer Freddie Francis being just one. Francis captures the majesty of the American landscape incredibly, putting one in mind of the work of Néstor Almendros and Haskell Wexler from Terence Malick's 'Days of Heaven.' With amber waves of grain rippling like an ocean in the wind, red barns erupting from yellow cornfields, the night sky draped in starlight sitting over the world like a crown; the film is a visual feast.

Lynch has stated that a successful film is comprised of "sound and image flowing together through time," positing that, in scenes, visuals and sounds must complement each other; as they do masterfully throughout 'The Straight Story.' The late, great Angelo Badalamenti's score is haunting and melodic, tonally matching Francis' visuals perfectly. The film's stunning marriage of sound and image is unforgettable and evocative work, held together adroitly by Lynch and Sweeney's unobtrusive editing.

'The Straight Story' stars Richard Farnsworth as Alvin Straight, delivering a tour de force performance of great emotional sagacity and depth. He is completely authentic and utterly charming, carrying with him a mournful air that is most affecting. Throughout his decades long career, Farnsworth gave some terrific performances in a variety of projects. Whether in 'Comes A Horseman,' 'The Grey Fox,' or 'Misery;' he was always believable, often making his fellow actors look mannered and forced through his ease of performance. As Straight, he never puts a foot wrong; turning in what may be one of the finest, most subtle pieces of acting ever captured on film. That he didn't win the Academy Award for his efforts is frankly shameful, and a testament to the fact that the Academy more often than not get it wrong.

All from the supporting cast do commendable work, with Sissy Spacek impressing greatly as Straight's daughter Rose, who has some sort of learning difficulty. Spacek doesn't overdo the eccentricity of her character, giving a very measured and thoughtful performance that is a highlight of her filmography. Additionally, Harry Dean Stanton has a short but unforgettable scene where he demonstrates in thirty seconds the boundless depth, range and pure acting prowess that endeared him to so many; and just may leave you in tears.

Powerful and poignant, David Lynch's 'The Straight Story' is- for all intents and purposes- a flawless piece of filmmaking. With a strong screenplay from Mary Sweeney and John Roach and captivating cinematography from Freddie Francis- not to mention the great score from Angelo Badalamenti- it is brilliant from start to finish. Featuring impactful performances from the likes of Sissy Spacek and Harry Dean Stanton, and anchored by a career best Richard Farnsworth; 'The Straight Story' is about as close to perfect as a film can come.