The quirky, unpredictable director David Lynch is the brains behind the 1999 Walt Disney Pictures release, The Straight Story. This off-beat "documentary-style" film follows the true story six-week trek of septuagenarian Alvin Straight on his John Deere lawn-tractor from rural Iowa to Wisconsin.
Richard Farnsworth is splendid as Straight, who is determined to make the 240-mile journey to visit his long-estranged brother (Harry Dean Stanton) who has suffered a debilitating stroke. The film was shot chronologically, following the actual route Straight undertook. The many interesting characters and adventures he encountered along the way are the crux of the story, and Lynch frames it all wonderfully.
Almost unanimously praised, The Straight Story is a perfect example of straight-ahead, no-frills filmmaking at its best. Lynch has quite often caused audiences and critics to scratch their heads and question his intentions, but The Straight Story validates his vision.
Farnsworth was afflicted with terminal bone cancer during production, and his bravery and determination left cast and crew in awe at his performance.
