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Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth, in his last movie role), a mostly-disabled farmer living with his slow-but-gentle daughter Rose (Sissy Spacek), learns that his health may be declining after both his hips give out. His doctor tells him that unless he quits smoking and begins to eat well, he will have more serious health problems. Then, Alvin gets a phone call from his brother, Lyle, who has suffered a stroke. Alvin and Lyle have not spoken in years, and Alvin decides to go visit. With bad eyesight and a daughter who cannot drive, Alvin sets off across Iowa to Wisconsin on a riding lawnmower, trailer in tow.

Along the way, he meets a variety of people who help him out, and talk with him about his trip and why he's going. As he meets different people, more of Alvin and Lyle's background is revealed, and the good nature of the main character becomes apparent. Lynch is a master filmmaker, and in his hands this script becomes magic. It moves along at a lawn-mower pace (pardon the pun), preferring to focus on character and dialogue than action, weaving an amazingly-accurate portrayal of middle-low-class Midwestern life. Lynch is known for his attention to detail, and he does not disappoint: most, if not all, of the film was shot on-location and in real buildings (as opposed to soundstages), and he bucked convention and cast real-life people in real-life roles. These aren't liposuctioned models or Hollywood pretty-boys; women have cottage cheese on their legs, men have scars and stubble, clothes are dirty, hair is greasy, and houses are dirty - in other words, it's got a sense of verisimilitude rare in any film.

"The Straight Story" is, in many ways, an anti-"Blue Velvet" or an anti-Tragedy (in the true meaning of that word). Like "BV," it offers an unflinching view of middle-class life, but instead of the constructed, artificial town of Lumberton, "The Straight Story" offers something more like a documentary look at people. Although no one in the film moralizes, and Lynch certainly doesn't use his camera to preach, what "The Straight Story" manages is to paint a view that, at their hearts, people are basically good. While bad people, car chases, explosions, and Evil Warlords might make a good movie (or a profitable newscast, depending on your level of cynicism), it's refreshing to see a master present a project that reminds us that, at our core, we are all good people, and it's really not that difficult to be good to each other.

As for the DVD, I think it goes without saying that watching Lynch's films in anything but widescreen is a crime, so it's good they gave us a solid, anamorphic transfer. He doesn't like extras, so everything is bare-bones, but considering the quality of the motion picture, the price can be forgiven.

Final Grade: A

In an age filled with shallow, violent and self-serving movies, this is a rare gem. This a move you can watch with your child or grandparents... though I think it best appreciated by those who have grown old enough to have less life in front of them than in the rear view mirror. The soundtrack for the movie is extraorinary and has a permanent place in my CD player.

This is a wonderful film to give as a gift. Watch it once and you'll understand.

Fans of David Lynch might be astonished when they hear that their master made a G-rated movie, but to my mind, it is one of Lynch's best films. I think that sometimes, his films are too freaky for their own good, but in "The Straight Story", he completely serves his screenplay and trusts his actors. Richard Farnsworth is really masterful as Alvin Straight. His performance is so effective that he almost moved me to tears. He shows us a man that hasn't lost his dignity despite being old and handicaped. But let's not forget the supporting cast with the outstanding Sissy Spacek. Other great contributions are made by cinematographer Freddie Francis and also by the score composer.

I once wrote that Terrence Malick's "The Thin Red Line" is not always poetic because it strives too hard to be just that. Cinematic poetry cannot be forced, it must develope out of the moment. "The Straight Story" is one of the most poetic films of the decade.