The Straight Story Reviews

I like David Lynch and his movies, my favourites being The Elephant Man, Mulholland Dr, Blue Velvet and this. I don't think I can add very much to the previous reviews that sum it up so nicely, but I'll do my best. The Straight Story is not a complex movie, the script is quite simple but it didn't need to be. Despite its simplicity, the script is also very moving and literate and you can tell a lot of heart went into shaping it. The film is also quite meditative in its pace, but again that didn't bother me at all, because as a quite reflective piece of work the meditative pace was deliberate. Besides, even if they were flaws, which I don't think they are if anything they are strengths in regards to The Straight Story, the film has a number of things to love about it. For one thing, the Straight Story is beautifully filmed with the cinematography fluid and the scenery spellbinding. The score adds to the film's poignant tones, in terms of direction The Straight Story is one of Lynch's best directed movies and the story while simple is beautifully told and surprisingly warm too. Also Richard Farnsworth gives a wonderful lead performance, he genuinely moved me and I felt for his character too. In conclusion, a beautiful film and one of Lynch's best. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I remember it very well, I actually saw this movie in the movie theater when itw as released and, at the time, there was a huge buzz about the whole thing. Indeed, for the film community, it was actually quite an event. Suddenly, David Lynch was making a standard drama, based on a true story and to make things even better, it was called 'The Straight Story'. Basically, it couldn't get more awesome than this. As a result, this most typical feature ended up being the most atypical movie directed by Lynch. Still, if you put all this aside, was the damned thing actually really amazing? I’m not so sure. In my opinion, a standard drama, even if it is directed by Lynch, still remains a standard drama and if another director would have made it, I’m pretty sure it would never have received so much coverage. Still, it remains a decent flick, with a touching story and Richard Farnsworth delivered a really impressive performance. Above all, Lynch showed that he can be a hell of a director even when he stick to the g*d*mned script. To conclude, even though I don’t think it is really a masterpiece, it was still a pretty good drama and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you are interested in David Lynch’s work.

I had high expectations with this film because of it being a film from an odd yet terrific filmmaker. One thing I was a bit worried about was its complete difference compared to the films he has done in the past. When I did see it, I was very disappointed with it because it seemed a very dull, plain and meaningless film. As the film ended, I was so annoyed with it because didnt show what he was setting out to do other than just seeing his brother. Yes, it was very inspiring and courageous travelling across America on a lawnmower and I understand that it was a true story but I just thought that the ending didn't conclude with such beauty and drama.


Richard Farnsworth's performance as Alvin was absolutely brilliant. I think that Farnsworth's performance was pretty much the only thing that was worth watching in this film. Alvin is an aging man who lives with his daughter and soon finds out that his brother is dying. One problem: he hasn't spoken to or even seen his brother for a very long time. He decides to go and see him to spend some last time with his brother to brother. His performance and character is a bit like Chris McCandleless in Into The Wild because they both travel and meet different people during their journey. Sissy Spacek's performance as Alvin's daughter Rose was absolutely awesome as well. She is a very troubled woman due to a past tragedy.


This truly is pretty much the only straight story of the films that David Lynch has done throughout his career. As I have said, The Straight Story being a David Lynch film is the only reason why I expressed interest in this film but unfortunately came out disappointed with it. The script was well written in some ways but towards the end of the film it went really flat and dull. I have to confess that the ending of this film is the most disappointing endings that I think I've ever seen in a film.


Overall, The Straight Story is a disappointing, dull film but had little decent qualities which was the good acting from Farnsworth and Spacek and the good directing from Lynch.