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The Straight Story (1999)

User Reviews: The Straight Story (1999)

The Straight Story (1999)
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4.1 out of 5.0 stars 9 Ratings (10 Reviews)

  • Overall:

    The Straight Story

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Mar 20, 2003 | 1 out of 1 found this The Straight Story (1999) review helpful

    There was nothing else on, so I tuned in. I guess a good many people would consider this movie boring, or so they would think. I was amazed at how such a simple story captured not only my attention but my heart. I'm familiar with the route that Alvin... traveled as I'm from Wisconsin. I'ts hard to believe that anyone, especially a person in his 70's could travel in this fasion for a 5 week period. I can't imagine anyone doing a finer job of portraying the fiesty old gieser than "Richard Farnsworth". The role was meant for him, and I doubt that it would have been that sucseesful if he had'nt come out of retirement. The only disappointment that I had was not knowing how he traveled back home.I don't know how long he visited with Lyle, but if he used the same method of transportation and left soon after his arrival, it would have been mid November by his return. Wisconsin rains and cold would not have allowed for a safe journey. If anyone knows where I can read about the return trip or his stay with Lyle, please let me know. Maryanne Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    David Lynch is a master filmmaker

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Dec 30, 2002

    based on a true story, THE STRAIGHT STORY is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. If you have seen it, definitely check it out.

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  • Overall:

    great movie, lame DVD

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Feb 26, 2002

    My comments here pertain to the DVD I just bought, not the film, which is amazing (precisely why I bought the DVD). This is a bare-bones DVD that has no extra material, no commentary, no chapter stops even, just the trailer. It comes with a little ...note from David Lynch that says (to paraphrase) "Most DVDs have chapter stops, but I don't think that movies should be viewed as books, so you'll have to watch The Straight Story in one sitting." Chapter stops are one of the coolest things about DVDs, especially for students, teachers, and fans of film, who can easily reference particular scenes so they can study, write about, discuss them. The notions that making it easy to navigate through a film does some violence to the director's sublime vision, or that the director has privilege to determine how we watch his movies are both stupid and arrogant. P.S. Where are the Eraserhead, Wild at Heart, and Lost Highway DVDs? Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    Warm

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 18, 2001

    This is the warmest, most honest, most unpretentious film I have seen. Though I´m a hardcore Lynch fan, I was not disappointed over the non-bizarre story. This is indeed a Straight Story without strangeness, but what a brilliant description of hope ...among genuine people in country-side America. The acting is great. So are Badalamenti´s music (as always). Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    The most generous film ever?

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 4, 2001

    Being a filmmaker/photographer and amateur film historian, I find it very difficult to type the sentence that I am about to type. This is quite simply the greatest film I have ever seen.Throughout David Lynch's oeuvre, he has consistently displayed b...oth an attraction toward and somewhat of a condemnation of what I will perhaps incorrectly term "strangeness." Here, however, he ceases to condemn. Throughout the film, it is clear that he recognizes that these rural midwestern folk are definitely not like the rest of us (I strongly suspect that when the President says "My fellow Americans" he's NOT referring to these people). All the more reason to give them their due, he seems to say. Though we continually congratulate ourselves for having what they lack (tastes, informed opinions, sophistication, good jobs, etc.) perhaps they have something that we lack. Civility, for one. Perserverence for another. Acceptence of others dispite often terrible circumstance (mental retardation and speech impediment, for one). Hope. And wonder. In this film, we can see through the eyes of both the very old and the very young (to whit, the passing of a group of bicyclists, which we ordinarily would think banal, and the crossing of the Mighty Missisippi in all its glory, something that in our rapid transit minds would quite expectedly dismiss). A few scenes of seemingly enforced quirkiness seemed a mistake, but no matter. This is excellent writing, photography, scoring, direction, and especially acting.I can think of no other film, with the possible exception of what must now be considered Lynch's second-best film, "The Elephant Man," that has such unexpected generosity to its characters (or in the former case's, character) despite the fact that such a character might normally be considered the subject of mere pity at best, scorn and ridicule at worst. What clearly made this the superior film, in my view, is that here he generously portrays a man clearly not himself. There is no question that his generosity cannot be out of self-pity, a feeling I did walk away from "Elephant Man" with. Also, there is no real antagonist, excepting, perhaps, time and mortality, a wise move as there is no one to hate, no one to reduce to simply a life obstacle and an instrument of torture to our protagonist's already painful existence.Not since childhood had a film made me cry. But at the very end of the film, when the titles "This film is dedicated to Alvin Straight, 1920[something]-1996" I actually shedded tears. The film was a biopic! What an unlikely and yet deserving subject! How wonderfully ironic! Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    Good but not great Lynch

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 4, 2001

    This is a hard film to review. It's very slow paced w/ many quick moments that will give you a slight chuckle. Alvin's character is played masterfully; the others are quirky and funny. The movie revolves around themes of both death & life (reflectin...g on the inevitable and the past.)As a Lynch movie, it's not up to par. Yes, it's a straightforward movie and Lynch is able to potray emotions/feelings 95% other directors can't. While good, this movie doesn't pack the punch of, say, Elephant Man.For me, the movie didn't live up to its potential; but I seem to be in the minority here. Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    Straight (but slow) Story

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Dec 26, 2000

    A very nice movie from Lynch and Farnsworth. Well worth checking out, but it may be a bit slow for some. You've gotta be patient with this one, but it's worth the trip. Recommended.

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  • Overall:

    The Straight Story

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Nov 16, 2000

    Took this one home to watch on a whime and was delightfully surprised and moved to tears. I knew it took place around where I was born, but had no idea they actually filmed in the area, that was an added bonus because of the beauty of that area of t...he contry that most people don't know about. I loved the stretch that Sissy Spacek's roll took her to, she did it beautifully. Richard Farnsworth's roll was personally moving and his acting was fabulous. This film depicted the people of the area in the most positive light and that was refreshing in this day and age. Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    Richard Farnsworth and this movie

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Oct 9, 2000

    the best movie that I have seen in years, and the best actor/gentleman I have seen on the screen. I am very sad about his death this last week. Everything about this movie is beautifulactors, countryside, score and story line.I will buy it when it's... available - a masterpiece! Read more Less

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  • Overall:

    straight story

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 22, 2000

    A new American Classic- a true accomplishment for David Lynch. Richard Farnsworth demonstrates what acting REALLY should be. A beautiful story with a resonance that you'll feel long after the film is finished. Fabulous scenery- reflective, thought p...rovoking, heart felt movie. Not to be missed- a unique cinematic experience. Read more Less

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