Rent The Straight Story on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: John Roach & Mary Sweeney
Directed by: David Lynch
Starring: Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton
Rated: G
Watch the trailer
Plot
Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old, learns that his estranged brother, Lyle is critically ill. Unable to drive, Alvin embarks on a journey from Iowa to Mt. Zion, by riding a lawn mower.
Verdict
It's amazing how much this gets out of such a small story. While Alvin is stubborn throughout the movie, refusing any help, he manages to impart plenty of advice to everyone he meets. They're intrigued by his journey, who wouldn't be? So many movies resort to dramatic and salacious, but this is so wholesome because everyone he meets cares about his plight. All of that is packaged in this movie that exhibits such care, not only in the characters but in every frame and all the landscape images.
Watch It.
Review
Based on a true story, it's an outlier in Lynch's filmography which usually skews to the weird. With something so normal, Lynch proves he can tell a simple story exceptionally well. It's just that he typically wants to explore something subversive.
An old man, Alvin (Richard Farnsworth), falls and reluctantly goes to the doctor at his daughter's behest. He's told about all he's doing wrong for his health. Alvin is an ornery old cuss, and he doesn't want x-rays or a lot of testing. He never wanted to go to the doctor. He refuses a walker, instead using two canes.
When Alvin learns his brother is in poor health, he decides to visit but due to his health he can't drive. Wanting to make this journey on his own, he resolves to ride his lawnmower. He's got to see his brother, and he wants to make the trip by his own rules. It's got to be in part Alvin wanting to maintain some measure of control in his life.
 |
| Richard Farnsworth plays Alvin |
This movie is such small stakes, a guy riding his lawnmower, but you root for Alvin. It's silly and ridiculous, but it's a monumental journey to Alvin. His first attempt fails quickly when his lawnmower breaks down. He's undeterred and buys another lawnmower to start again.
The simplicity of this movie is charming. Alvin enjoys the scenery and even imparts wisdom as he meets people on the road. He helps people and finds a lot of help. While we see the mid-west landscape, we also see many kind people. Despite the help offered, Alvin is adamant he wants to finish the journey "his own way." This has to be that one last adventure as he knows he's losing his faculties. We can guess that Alvin has a stubborn streak and is disappointed at the lack of his ability. This is his one last I did it.
A big part of this movie is the time and experiences Alvin shares with people. People are so busy and want to get to the destination while ignoring the journey. This movie defies all that. While Alvin is constrained, his transportation method allows him to see the scenery and interact with a number of people. He's moving slow enough to see the world, and it's rare for anyone to move at such a pace.
There are few stories simpler than a person on a journey facing down obstacles, but there aren't many about a man on a lawnmower. You could ascribe a number of metaphors to this journey, and it's also about the pace of life. The older you get, the slower life moves. When you slow down, you discover so much more.
No comments :
Post a Comment