Retired farmer and widower 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. He then has the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.
After suffering a stroke, 73-year-old Alvin Straight learns his estranged brother, Lyle, is also gravely ill. Living in Wisconsin, Lyle resides in Wisconsin, a mere 240 miles away, but Alvin's driver's license has been revoked, and he has no other means of transportation. Determined to make amends, Alvin sets out on a journey across the Midwest on his John Deere lawnmower, encountering various people and reflecting on his life.
The Straight Story was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its departure from director David Lynch's usual style and its poignant, character-driven narrative. Richard Farnsworth's performance as Alvin Straight received universal praise, earning him an Academy Award nomination. The film resonated with audiences for its quiet dignity, humanism, and understated portrayal of familial reconciliation.
Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's touching and emotional story, Richard Farnsworth's incredible performance, and its unique, heartwarming journey. Many viewers appreciated its simplicity and its powerful message of reconciliation and perseverance.
Nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival; Richard Farnsworth nominated for Academy Award for Best Actor. Won Best Actor awards from the National Board of Review and the Golden Globe Awards.
The John Deere lawn tractor Alvin Straight uses for his journey was specially modified for the film to reach speeds of about 5-6 miles per hour, still significantly slower than a typical vehicle.
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