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The Straight Story
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Synopsis
David Lynch offers an uncharacteristically straightforward and warmly sentimental approach to his material in this film, based on a true story, about an elderly man's journey to reconcile with his brother. Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) is an ailing widower in his early 70's who lives in Laurens, Iowa with his daughter, Rose (Sissy Spacek), who is mildly retarded and has a speech defect. Alvin doesn't trust doctors, despite suffering from emphysema and a bad hip. Alvin learns that his brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke and may not have long to live. Alvin and Lyle haven't spoken in 10 years, which Alvin says is mainly a matter of pride and alcohol; Alvin wants to clear his slate with his brother before it's too late. However, Lyle lives in Wisconsin, and Alvin has little money, no car, and no driver's license. He does, however, have a riding lawn mower, and so Alvin hops on board and heads northeast to Wisconsin, hoping to make it while there's still time. Along the way, Alvin makes new friends and refuses to give up on his journey, despite frequent mechanical breakdowns. Richard Farnsworth's performance as Alvin earned him an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor; it would prove to be his final screen appearance, as he died a year after the film's release. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast

Richard Farnsworth Alvin Straight
Everett McGill Tom The Dealer
Barbara Robertson Derr Woman
Sissy Spacek Rose
Harry Dean Stanton Lyle
John Lordan Priest
Jennifer Edwards-Hughes Brenda
John Farley Thorvald
Jane Galloway Heitz Dorothy

Production Crew

Freddie Francis Cinematographer
Angelo Badalamenti Composer (Music Score)
Pat Norris Costume Designer
David Lynch Director
Mary Sweeney Editor
Michael Polaire Executive Producer
Pierre Edelman Executive Producer
William McConnell First Assistant Camera
Robert "Bobby Z" Zajonc Pilot
Alain Sarde Producer
Mary Sweeney Producer
Jack Fisk Production Designer
John F. Roach Screenwriter
Mary Sweeney Screenwriter
Year: 1999
Runtime: 111
Country: France
MPAA Rating: G
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Color type
FotoKem

Produced by
Canal Plus
Films Alain Sarde
Picture Factory

Release
October 15, 1999 (USA)
by Buena Vista

Awards
1999 - Best Picture - Independent Spirit Award
1999 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1999 - Five Continents Award for Best Non-European Film - European Film Academy
1999 - Five Continents Award - European Film Academy
1999 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1999 - Best Picture - Independent Spirit Awards
1999 - Film Presented - Telluride Film Festival