The Straight Story (1999)
A film by David Lynch
The Straight Story begins with a view of the night sky and many stars, and then a dazzling sweeping shot of the vast corn fields of the Mid West. The story is about a seventy-three year old stubborn, but likeable man, Alvin Straight, played charmingly by Richard Farnsworth (who should have won an Oscar for his performance). Alvin's brother Lyle has had a stroke in Wisconsin, and Alvin decides it is his duty to travel from his home in Iowa and see him for the first time in ten years. But the problem is Alvin doesn't have a driving licence, and his eyes are bad, and so is his hip.
He decides the solution is to drive his lawnmower along with his trailer. The first attempt is doomed, when the lawnmower expires and fails him. Alvin then shoots it with his gun to get some satisfaction. He then buys a 1966 green John Deere tractor, which is more reliable. The journey is slow as you would expect, but it is enlivened by the people Alvin meets, including a pregnant runaway girl, a lady driver who knocks down a deer, some bickering twin mechanics, and a former world war two soldier. The scene in which Alvin describes an incident to him he had in France in the war is very moving. There is another scene where Alvin is slowly moving along, and is passed by a huge speeding truck, which blows his hat off, as if it is a sign of the modern scramble to go faster and quicker. Where as Alvin is content to travel at his own pace, and still get to his destination eventually, like the good old days.
After a scrape descending a hill, and meeting some other kind folks, Alvin finally arrives in Wisconsin, and on the journey we are treated to wonderful cinematography from Freddie Francis; beautiful sound and music, as always, from Lynch's regular composer Angelo Badalamenti, and a humble and delightful central performance. A very charming picture and an absolute pleasure to watch.
Premonitions Following an Evil Deed
