Earlier
this year, David Mamet shocked the film world by directing the PG rated Winslow
Boy. Just when you thought things couldn't get any stranger, David Lynch delivers
a G rated film called Straight Story. This is a very heartfelt film and certainly
his most accessible since The Elephant Man. Although mainstream on the surface,
Straight Story does offer that offbeat, and quirky style that we've come to associate
with Lynch.
Richard
Farnsworth is heartbreaking in what could be the best performance of his career.
In this affectionate road movie, Farnsworth plays Alvin Straight, a man who desperately
wants to be with his dying brother. The only problem is, he has bad hips and no
driver's license, so he opts to drive his trusty lawn mower across state. On his
travels he engages various strangers in conversations about life with Also turning
in a stunning performance is Sissy Spacek (Coal Miner's Daughter) as Farnsworth's
slow but loving daughter.
Straight
Story doesn't really have a plot. It's more of an unpredictable collection of
interesting conversations and and encounters. It also gives us beautiful, sweeping
shots of of the country side giving the film a look all it's own.
In
the end, David Lynch's Straight Story shows us that there is still a lot of good
in the world. It's also about a man and his undying love for family. In fact,
the final image in this film is enough to bring you to tears. This is one of the
year's best films.
