Classic Movie Pick: ‘The Straight Story’ Is A Touching Journey Sure To Tug At Heart Strings

This movie features a kindness and sentimentality rarely seen in the action-packed blockbusters of today as an elderly man treks across the country to Wisconsin to see his dying brother.

This week’s “Classic Pick” gives us a road trip from Laurens, Iowa, to Mount Zion, Wis. That might not sound like an ambitious journey, but it is when your sweet ride is a John Deere lawn mower. The film is David Lynch’s “The Straight Story.”

The leading man is Alvin Straight, a World War II veteran and widower who doesn’t walk well, see well and doesn’t have a driver’s license. In order to see his ailing brother who he learns has had a stroke, he purchases an old John Deere mower and hits the road, hoping to see his brother Lyle and make amends before either one of them passes away. Alvin risks his life while riding the shoulder of the highway for 370 miles to do so.

Alvin pulls a small trailer behind him and camps out at night under the stars, encountering interesting characters along the way, including a pregnant runaway, a group of Iowa townies who do everything they can to help Alvin and two brothers who argue well — like brothers — while fixing Alvin’s wheels. The brothers learn a lesson about siblings from the man trying to reconnect with his own kin after a falling out led to their 10-year estrangement. 

Fun film fact for you: the brothers in the scene that Alvin imparts his wisdom on are native Wisconsinites Kevin and John Farley, brothers of Chris. 

Richard Farnsworth had a solid career of playing older, weathered wise characters, sort of a more soft-spoken Sam Elliott. He started his career as a stuntman then transitioned to acting. After solid performances in smaller roles, he landed roles in films like “Misery” and “The Natural.” By the time he passed away in 2000 at the age of 80, he was a twice Oscar-nominated actor, one for Best Supporting Actor for “Comes a Horseman,” and one for Best Actor in “The Straight Story.” Farnsworth did win an Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor in “The Straight Story.” The film’s cast also includes Sissy Spacek, who plays Alvin’s mentally disabled daughter and Harry Dean Stanton as his brother. 

This was a bit of a departure for David Lynch and a testament to his greatness as a filmmaker in that “The Straight Story” is not the least bit edgy and rated G — a directorial departure, to say the least. It was Roger Ebert’s favorite Lynch film.

Aside from its locations, the film also has a strong Wisconsin connection in that screenwriters Mary Sweeney and John Roach are native Wisconsinites who had been friends since their high school days in Madison. Roach was an accomplished TV producer in Chicago and Sweeney had made a name for herself as an editor and producer after working with Lynch on “Blue Velvet,” “Wild at Heart,” “Twin Peaks,” and “Lost Highway.” 

Last week on “Nite Lite,” Roach said that Sweeney reached out to him to see if he would want to write a script with her as she was trying to broaden her horizons as an artist. Not a bad first effort when David Lynch wants to direct your material. In 2009, Sweeney added directing to her résumé with the film “Baraboo.” Roach is also the creative force and director behind a riveting documentary called “A Road at Night.” If you’re wondering where Sweeney and Roach looked for inspiration for this film, “The Straight Story” is based a true story about the real Alvin Straight who made his journey in 1993 on the actual highway the film was shot on. 

And what would a classic pic be without a few fun film facts? It’s hard to imagine anybody else playing the role of Alvin Straight, but there were other big-time actors considered, including Jack Lemmon and Gregory Peck. Typically, a studio or production company likes to include all kinds of extra features for a DVD or digital release. “The Straight Story” released only the movie and the trailer, and that is how David Lynch wanted it. He shot the film in sequence and wanted it to be viewed as one whole experience for the viewer. This might surprise you, but Lynch called “The Straight Story” his most experimental movie. Love that.

Farnsworth was hesitant to take the role of Straight at first, because of all the swearing in “Blue Velvet.” Lynch had to assure the actor that there was no swearing. “The Straight Story” puts the heart in heartland. It is brilliantly written, executed and performed and is quite possibly one of the sweetest films you will ever see, and it’s this week’s “Classic Movie Pick” of the week. 

Editor’s note: For more movie and entertainment talk, join host Pete Schwaba weeknights from 6 to 8 p.m. for “Nite Lite” on the Civic Media radio network.