the Straight story Review
There aren’t many films that have affected me as deeply as the Straight story. This film, directed by David Lynch, is a fantastic love letter to the small prairie towns of the American Midwest. Based on a true story, 73-year-old Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) was estranged from his brother Lyle for the last 10 years. But when he learns that his brother had a stroke, he begins to fear that Lyle will die before they can reconcile, so he starts to make plans to go see him and make amends.
Simple story right? Pretty Straight-forward (see what I did there)? Here’s the twist, he’s going to make this trip from Laurens, Iowa to Mount Zion, Wisconsin an estimated 390 km. That in itself doesn’t seem too difficult right? But Alvin is elderly and his eyes aren’t what they used to be so he unfortunately isn’t allowed to drive anymore. So how does he solve this problem? He hitches a trailer to his riding mower and sets out on the highway for Mount Zion.
What follows is an incredible odyssey. The film was actually shot in sequence on the very roads where this story occurred. Alvin has run-ins with many different kinds of people along the way, and he leaves his mark on their lives in his own special way. For anyone who’s traveled the prairies in Canada, or perhaps has family in small towns like the ones depicted in the film, you’ll probably be able to have a greater understanding of how lovingly crafted this film is.
Throughout the story, there are deep themes of redemption, judgment, atonement, and regret. It also affords viewers a glimpse into what it means to get old and see not just loved ones but even yourself on your way towards the exit and how that recontextualizes the world in profound ways that cannot be understood by those who aren’t quite there in life. You can definitely get a taste of that experience from this film though, I would imagine reflection is a common practice for those that have had the pleasure of viewing this film, as it leaves you in a very contemplative and receptive state by the end.
The Straight story has been criticised by some because arguably not a whole lot happens in the movie, he rides his mower and encounters people, none of them reappear later in the plot. But sometimes that's what life is like, and since it’s based on a true story it makes sense that it would be an accurate reflection of life. But it’s more than a reflection. I would say it’s more of a contemplation on life, it lets you sit in it, observe it, take the time with it and really absorb it.
That being said, if you aren’t a fan of slower films, maybe avoid this one. It’s worth noting that some who criticized it mention there is a certain point in the film where it all clicks and makes sense for them. So, even if you aren’t normally interested in a film like this, it may be worth giving it a chance; you may find yourself enjoying it by the end. I strongly recommend this film, probably one of the only “G Rated” films I'll ever recommend in this publication haha, but it’s definitely worth a watch.
