The Straight Story
The Straight Story
A retired farmer and widower in his 70s, Alvin Straight learns one day that his distant brother Lyle has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. Then he hits on the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 12, 2025
When Alvin (Richard Farnsworth) gets word that his estranged brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has had a stroke, Alvin sets on a road trip in hopes of reconnecting with him. With health issues of his own, Alvin is unable to get a driver’s license. So he instead embarks on his journey driving his lawnmower and towing a small trailer.
David Lynch’s signature surrealist style is completely absent. What is here is an absolutely heart rending true story of Alvin’s odyssey through rural America, with meditations on life, forgiveness and regret.
Much of Alvin’s journey feels inconsequential as it’s happening. His mower breaks down multiple times, sidelining him for a stint until he can get it repaired or replaced. But Lynch’s patience in the storytelling completely pays off in the end.
(If you haven’t seen it, please stop here, as I’m going to detail the ending here.)
When Alvin gets to Lyle’s, I was expecting some kind argument or conversation similar to the one’s that Alvin’s had along the way. Maybe Alvin confesses how he’s done Lyle wrong somehow. It’s clear from the expression on Lyle’s face that he still holds resentment/anger/etc towards Alvin. But then we see Lyle’s eyes shift their gaze, and the camera cuts over to the lawnmower and trailer sitting there. Lyle’s facial expression changes and he asks “You ride that thing all the way out here to see me?” and Alvin just says “I did, Lyle.” Lyle holds back his tears….and I fail miserably at doing the same. I was completely overcome by the beauty of that moment, not just in the overwhelming sentimentality, but also the expert level filmmaking. I realized in that moment, the entire film was built around that moment. Every blown transmission, every comment about Alvin’s transportation along the way was built for this one shot and cut. Lynch has had my emotions on a string the entire time. Then he pulls the fkn string and is just like, “The end. A Film by David Lynch”. Masterful.