David Lynch's G-Rated Disney Movie THE STRAIGHT STORY Is a Quiet Masterpiece
David Lynch is best known for dragging us into the surreal, strange, and the grotesque. From the industrial-nightmare dreamscape of Eraserhead to the voyeuristic darkness of Blue Velvet and the eerie soap-opera undertones of Twin Peaks, Lynch’s name is tied to bizarre worlds where reality bends and take us into fever dreams.
Then in 1999 Lynch made a movie that no one expected, G-rated movie that Disney picked up titled The Straight Story, and this is one of my favorite films from the filmmaker.
The film told true tale of Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old man who, in 1994, decided to ride his lawnmower across 240 miles of the Midwest to visit his estranged, ailing brother. It’s as simple premise, but under Lynch’s direction, it becomes a heartfelt meditation on family, aging, and the quiet dignity of everyday life.
Alvin Straight, played by the late Richard Farnsworth, is a stubborn, matter-of-fact WWII veteran living in Laurens, Iowa, with his daughter Rose (Sissy Spacek).
When he hears that his brother Henry (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke, Alvin is determined to reconcile with him before it’s too late. Unable to drive due to his failing vision and legs, Alvin hitches a trailer to his 1966 John Deere lawnmower and embarks on a six-week journey to Mount Zion, Wisconsin, at a blazing 5 miles per hour.
Despite the Disney label and G rating, The Straight Story is unmistakably a Lynch film. There’s no dark surrealism here or nightmarish imagery, but Lynch’s fascination with Americana and the unspoken complexities of human life is at the center of the story
Mary Sweeney, Lynch’s longtime collaborator and co-writer of the film, described Alvin’s character as a representation of “stoic, non-verbal, stubborn, idiosyncratic” middle America. That’s exactly what Lynch captures… quietly, honestly, and without an ounce of irony.
Lynch once called The Straight Story "my most experimental movie". It was independently shot along the actual route taken by Straight, and all scenes were shot in chronological order in the autumn of 1998.
Stripping away his usual obsessions with sex, death, and violence, Lynch experiments with warmth, patience, and simplicity. The tone is as warm and its pace is as slow and deliberate as Alvin’s mower.
The Straight Story was independently shot along the actual route taken by Straight, and all scenes were shot in chronological order in the autumn of 1998. Lynch would later call the film "my most experimental movie".
But beneath the sunny, heartland charm lies a profound exploration of trauma and reconciliation. One of the film’s most moving moments takes place in a bar, where Alvin speaks with another elderly man about their shared experiences in World War II.
They don’t trade stories of valor or heroism. Instead, Alvin quietly acknowledges the lingering pain of a generation that was told to “just get over it.” This offers audiences a glimpse into Alvin’s guarded psyche and paints him as a man whose simplicity hides deep wounds.
Farnsworth’s performance is extraordinary, and while shooting the film he was battling terminal cancer in real life. His physical pain mirrors Alvin’s struggles, adding an unspoken layer of authenticity. Farnsworth’s quiet resolve shines through in his beautiful performance.
What I love about this story is that Alvin’s journey isn’t just about reconnecting with his brother, it’s about reconciliation with his own life and his regrets.
In one of the film’s final scenes, Alvin finally arrives at Henry’s house. He doesn’t give a speech. There’s no grand cinematic moment. He simply parks his lawnmower, sits beside his brother, and looks up at the sky.
It’s quiet, understated, and perfect. It’s a beautiful conclusion to a journey about connection, healing, and moving forward, however slowly.
The Straight Story might be Lynch’s gentlest film, but it’s impactful. It’s one of those film that that reminds me that life’s greatest journeys don’t need to be grand or dramatic to be meaningful.